Published: April 10, 2008 11:24 pm            

Win pushes 'Cats to top half in district

Staff Reports



The Palstine Wildcats knocked off district leading Groesbeck Tuesday night to get right back into the District 19-3A playoff race.

In the first game of the second half of district play, Palestine outlasted Groesbeck 11-10 in eight innings at the Palestine High School baseball field.

“This win is very important to us and gives us an opportunity to fight for second place in district,” Palestine head coach Jason Broomas said. “It takes away from having must-win games.”

Palestine (8-11) entered Tuesday night with a 2-3 district record but the win Tuesday night propels the Wildcats into the top half of the district standings.

The Wildats also handed Groesbeck (13-5) its first district loss of the season.

“When you beat a team of that caliber, it has to be a team effort,” Broomas said.

Orlando Estrada earned the win for Palestine as he came in to relieve and did not allow a hit in 3 1/3 innings pitched, allowing Palestine to get back into the game and get the win in the eighth inning.

Austin Daugherty led off the eighth inning with a walk and Gary Scoggin reached on a bunt single as he was trying to sacrafice Daugherty to second.

Edgar Vasquez followed with a base hit to right field and Daugherty came around to score the winning run.

Daugherty was 2-for-4 with four runs scored in the game and Vasquez was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Groesbeck scored eight runs in the first three innings to take a 8-4 lead. Palestine cut the lead to 10-7 in the fifth inning and tied the game in the sixth inning with three runs.

Daugherty started the inning with a base hit and scored on Vasquez’s single. Taylor Burris followed with a run-scoring double. He then stole third base and tied the game by scoring on a passed ball.

Taylor was 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Scoggin was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Cody Singtary was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Broomas said Tuesday’s win should raise the Wildcats’ cofidence heading into the final four district games.

“This win shows our team that we can play with anyone,” Broomas said.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.