Amarillo High’s Davien Berry (7) celebrates with teammate Bryson Slaughter after blasting a two-run homer against rival Tascosa during a District 3-5A clash at Hodgetown on Tuesday night. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
In the final game at Hodgetown before the stadium gives way to professional baseball in three weeks, the Amarillo High Sandies established why they’re the best team in town in 2021.
Already having clinched the District 3-5A title, Amarillo High took advantage of a big-time atmosphere against crosstown rival Tascosa in the penultimate game of the regular season Tuesday night. The Sandies dominated from the start in rolling to a 15-4 five-inning 10-run mercy rule victory which only cemented their status atop the district.
At least that’s the way it seemed in a rare regular season game at Hodgetown.
“I think the guys definitely felt comfortable being out here at Hodgetown a couple of times already,” AHS coach Randon Johnson said. “We get a chance to renew this rivalry in a district setting with Tascosa so I think the guys were definitely ready for it today.”
With one out in the bottom of the first, the Sandies (22-6, 13-1 in district) put five straight runners on against Tascosa starter Javen Patrick. Tristan Curless, the winning pitcher, drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the first run before Will Franklin followed it with the game’s first hit, a bases-clearing double to make it 4-0. Franklin later scored on a double by Nate Haws to make it 5-0 and set the tone for the game.
The second inning was more of the same for the Sandies. Again, they got going with one out, as Patrick walked the bases loaded and Franklin again took advantage with a double, this one driving in two to make it 7-0.
It continued a hot streak for Franklin at the plate, as he’s come alive during the second half of district.
“It’s a great experience and I love playing here,” Franklin said of playing at Hodgetown. “It gets you real pumped up playing under the lights with a whole bunch of people here, especially against our rivals Tascosa. I’ve just been attacking the fastball early.”
The Maynard twins then struck later in the inning, as Will had a two-run triple and Jake had a two-run double, and by the time the second inning was over, the Sandies led 12-0 and the biggest question was whether or not they could win in a run rule.
Tascosa (13-14, 7-7) got all its offense in the top of the third to cut it to 12-4. Shortstop Jake Maynard booted Josh Splawn’s grounder which would have ended the inning and allowed two runs to score, then Koben Yarbrough hit a two-run single.
But that was all the Rebels managed off Curless, who struck out eight and gave up only three hits. All of Tascosa’s runs were unearned.
Amarillo High took a 13-4 lead into the bottom of the fourth off Tascosa reliever Seth Young. Bryson Slaughter doubled, then on the next pitch, Davien Berry pulled it just inside the right field foul pole for a two-run home run to attain the run rule margin.
“Playing on a different surface and we’ve got different things going on whether it’s field dimensions or driving three or four hours to play, anything we can do kind of allow ourselves to have been there and done that by the time we get to the playoffs is always a big plus,” Johnson said.
Amarillo High 13, Tascosa 4
Tascosa 004 00 – 4 3 3
Amarillo High 571 2x – 15 9 1
Javen Patrick, Seth Young (3) and Koben Yarbrough. Tristan Curless and Cayden Phillips. W – Curless. L – Patrick. 2B – Tascosa: Tai Phetluangsy. AHS: Jake Maynard, Bryson Slaughter, Will Franklin 2, Nate Haws. 3B – AHS: Will Maynard. HR – AHS: Davien Berry. Records: Amarillo High 22-6, 13-1. Tascosa 13-14, 7-7.
District 3-5A
Randall routs Caprock to clinch second seed
Randall didn’t mess around with the No. 2 playoff seed from 3-5A on the line, as the Raiders scored seven runs right out of the gate at Caprock and rolled to a 17-4 five-inning 10-run mercy rule victory.
Payton Bush, who pitched the first three innings for the win for Randall (17-13-1, 10-4), helped his own cause with a two-run single in the first to make it 3-0. The big hit, though was a three-run double by Mason Ladd to make it 6-0.
The Raiders attained the run rule margin with four runs in the top of the fourth. Tanner Satterfield and Danny Herrington brought home the first two runs with doubles to put Randall up by 11 runs.
Randall pounded out 17 hits as Ladd, Satterfield, Hayden Smith and Kole Dudding all had two hits apiece. Caprock (3-23, 2-12) had only four hits off Randall.
Randall 17, Caprock 4
Randall 740 42 – 17 17 2
Caprock 110 02 – 4 4 1
Payton Bush, Dylan Cheyne (4), Hunter Phillips (5) and Mason Ladd, Tanner Satterfield (3). Meissenburg, Delosreyes (2), King (4), Herrera (5) and Ostos. W – Bush. L – Meissenburg. 2B – Randall: Ladd 2, Danny Herrington, Taylor McDaniel, Satterfield 2, Hayden Smith. 3B – Randall: Preston Lowe. Caprock: Meissenburg. Records: Randall 17-13-1, 10-4. Caprock 3-23, 2-12.
Plainview blanks PD for third seed
Palo Duro kept it close for five innings against Plainview before the Bulldogs broke through with six runs in the top of the sixth to put the game away and coast to a 10-0 victory to clinch the district’s No. 3 playoff seed.
Anthony Rocha had a solid performance on the mound for Palo Duro (5-22-1, 1-13), giving up seven hits in six innings, and although he gave up nine runs, only five were earned. Plainview (16-13-1, 9-5) got all it would need in the first on a sacrifice fly by Zach Hernandez.
With the score only 3-0 in the sixth, Plainview’s Kylar Blankenship got things started with a two-run double. Hernandez capped the inning with a two-run home run.
Plainview 10, Palo Duro 0
Plainview 100 116 1 – 10 10 1
Palo Duro 000 000 0 – 0 3 3
Isaac Garza and Sebastian Alcala. Anthony Rocha, Hei Soe (7), Chris Esparza (7). W – Garza. L – Rocha. 2B – Plainview: Kylar Blankenship. 3B – Plainview: Zach Hernandez. HR – Plainview: Hernandez. Records: Plainview 16-13-1, 9-5. Palo Duro 5-22-1, 1-13.
District 4-4A
Canyon finished district undefeated
The Eagles went into Pampa Tuesday night with every intention of finishing their district season with a win, and were able to do just that thanks an 8-0 shutout of the Harvesters.
Ben Black was dominant on the bump against Pampa going the distance, allowing only one hit. The sophomore had the Harvester offense baffled tallying six K’s.
Brody Cook was a big bat for the Eagles finishing his afternoon going 2-for-3 at the plate with two singles and three RBIs. Brandel Barrett showed off some power in the top of the second with a solo shot to lead off the inning.
Canyon (24-3 overall) takes District 4-4A with an unblemished 10-0 mark as the Eagles set their eyes toward the playoffs.
Pampa (12-10, 5-5) is also headed to the postseason as the No. 4-seed.
Canyon 8, Pampa 0
Canyon 040 031 0 — 8 7 3
Pampa 000 000 0 — 0 1 3
Black and Hefner. Miranda, (5) Reed, (7) Groomer, and Stout. W— Black. L— Miranda. 2B— Canyon: McKay. HR— Canyon: Barrett.
Records: Canyon 24-3, 10-0. Pampa 12-10, 5-5.
Dumas closes out district in shutout fashion
With Raul Bustamante had it working on the mound throwing five strong innings to help lead Dumas to a 17-0 run-rule shutout at Borger on Tuesday.
Bustamante and the Demon defense were on top of their game in their District 4-4A finale. Bustamante scattered three hits in the game, and only allowed one walk to Borger. The biggest stat of the night for Bustamante was the 12 strikeouts over his five innings of work.
The offense had a big part in the win as well for Dumas scoring its 17 runs on only eight hits. Bryan Cabeen and Ethan Town both finished the night with two hits. Town, who would also score three runs for the Demons went 2-for-3 including a triple. Cabeen finished with two runs scored on two singles.
The Demons (14-11, 7-3) will be the No. 2-seed out of the district. Borger ends its year at 2-23, 0-10.
Dumas 17, Borger 0
Borger 000 00x x — 0 3 5
Dumas 3111 2xx x — 17 8 0
Wallace, (3) Harbin, and Parker.
Bustamante and Cota. W— Bustamante. L— Wallace. 2B— Dumas: Cota, Kinkin. 3B— Dumas: Gutierrez, Rushing, Town. Records: Borger 2-23, 0-10. Dumas 14-11, 7-3.
Hereford handles Perryton
Hereford played host to Perryton nabbing a convincing 8-1 win on Tuesday night.
The victory secured the Whitefaces (10-12, 6-4) the No. 3-seed out of District 4-4A
Perryton ends its season at 9-13 overall and 2-8 in district. This is the first time in 27 years the Rangers will miss the postseason.
Game Stats were not provided to Press Pass Sports.
District 1-3A
Bushland’s Bass hits for cycle in win over Dalhart
Josh Bass made a name for himself during Bushland’s 19-3 win against Dalhart on the road Tuesday night.
Bass hit for the cycle that consisted a triple in the first, home run in the fourth, followed by a single and double in the fifth inning. The monster day at the plate for Bass came in part to an overall impressive offensive performance from Bushland.
The first three batters in the Falcon order recorded at least three hits on the day and combined for 11 RBIs, two triples, and two long balls.
It was Tate Nebhut on the mound for the Falcons eating up innings for his team. Nebhut went the distance keeping the Golden Wolves offense at bay, giving up three runs on six hits, striking out eight batters to earn the win.
Bushland, the District 1-3A champions, stay perfect on the season at 20-0, and 8-0 in league play. Dalhart drops to 10-12, 4-5.
Bushland 19, Dalhart 3
Bushland 411 211x x — 19 18 2
Dalhart 002 10x x — 3 6 6
Nebhut and McDonald. Unknown, (4) Anderson, (5) Anzuldua, and Griggs. W— Nebhut. 2B— Bushland: Bass, McDonald, Nebhut, Samford. 3B— Bushland: Bass, Troxell. HR— Bushland: Bass, Junell. Dalhart: Griggs. Records: Bushland 20-0, 8-0. Dalhart 10-12, 4-5.
Dimmitt’s 20 run inning secures win
The Hornets got off to a good start at home on Tuesday night, but the Bobcats had other plans in their 22-4 win over the Hornets.
Tulia took the 3-2 lead in the top of the second on three straight singles.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Bobcats offense got hot. Dimmitt ended the inning having scored 20 runs on 10 hits, nine walks, and three fielding errors by the Hornets. The catalyst of the offense was Trey Aguero. The shortstop had two hits driving in four runs in the victory. Dimmitt improves to 7-2 in District 1-3A and 19-5 overall. Tulia tumbles to 9-13, 1-8.
Dimmitt 22, Tulia 4
Tulia 030 10x x — 4 5 6
Dimmitt 200 20xx x — 22 12 5
Molina, (4) Culwell, (4) Valenzuela and Powell.
Flores, (5) Carpio and Aguero. W— Flores. L— Molina. 2B— Dimmitt: K. Carpio. 3B— Dimmitt: K. Carpio. Records: Tulia 9-13, 1-8. Dimmitt 19-5, 7-2.
River Road uses late explosion to down Friona
Friona kept it close to the end, but the River Road offense exploded late to take the 19-5 win Tuesday night in Friona.
The Chieftains (2-17, 1-8) kept themselves in it trailing 7-3 heading into the top of the seventh. That’s when the Wildcats broke out the bats for 12 runs to put the contest away. The runs were kicked off by an RBI triple from Jaret Griffin to extend the advantage to 8-3. Friona then allowed five straight walks only to have the game further torn by a two-run double by Luis Delgado. With no outs in the inning, the Wildcats had already scored six runs and the rest is history.
The Wildcats (9-13, 4-5) offense was led by Griffin’s big day that saw the third basemen drive in six runs and collect three hits including two home runs and a triple.
River Road 19, Friona 5
River Road 100 231 (12) — 19 11 4
Friona 100 200 2 — 5 4 5
Delgado, (6) Caldwell and Clark. Ledezma, Garcia, Carillo, Luis, Chavilla, and Grimley. W— Delgado. L— Ledezma. 2B— River Road: Delgado, Upchurch, Welps 2. 3B— River Road: Griffin. HR— River Road:Griffin 2.
Records: River Road 9-13, 5-4. Friona 2-17, 1-8.