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By GREG WEBB
Looking to bounce back after a defensive disappointment in its last district game, the Weatherford varsity baseball team vented any lingering frustrations on the Arlington Colts, who came to visit Raymond E. Curtis Field on Friday. The Roos won the District 3-5A contest, 15-5, ending the affair with a pair of run-rule scores in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After Arlington pushed across a couple of runs across to start the game, spotting the Roos a couple of runs before coming to the plate, left fielder Brock Riebe gave Arlington an unsavory hint of things to come, stroking the second pitch he saw over the center field wall. The wake-up call unsettled the Arlington pitcher a bit, as he walked the next batter on four pitches.
The Roos did their best to keep the Colts hurler uncomfortable, using more free passes, passed ball opportunities and a Beau Burrows double to score five runs by the end of the opening frame.
Despite the early lead But the contest was not without drama, as Arlington hitters mounted a comeback, tying the game in the top of the fourth.
Weatherford head coach Terry Massey, did not welcome the spurt of scoring from the opposition, but preferred the method on this night to recent history.
“We hadn’t given up any earned runs in the past four games,” Massey said. “But we went 2-1-1 [because of all the errors we have been making]. But tonight, [Arlington] was just hitting the ball early.
“I can live with that much better than giving up runs with errors.”
The WHS defense ceded just one unearned run on the night.
The bottom of the fourth proved to be the bane for Arlington pitching, with the Roos making seven round trips. First baseman Dustin Williams began the inning with an opposite-field double and before the inning was done, Weatherford had chased the Colts starter and one of its relievers. WHS’ Mitchell Dworsky and Burrows both had RBI-producing doubles, with Williams second at-bat in the inning also netting an RBI hit. Andy Rogers also hit safely, driving home the final score of the frame.
“We expected some of our hitters, like Dustin and a couple of others, to do well at the plate early this season,” Massey said. “But up and down the order, our hitting has been very good.
“Brock Riebe has been very good at leadoff. He can lay down a drag bunt, or hit one out like he did tonight.”
Massey also gives kudos to his pitching staff, and hopes the better defensive performance of Friday is a sign of things to expect as the district slate continues.
“If we field the ball in all our games earlier this season, we only lose one game,” he said. “And that’s what we have to do if we expect to win this district and make the playoffs.”
Matt Riney recorded the win, pitching in relief and denying the Colts any earned runs. The Roos held Arlington scoreless in the top of the fifth and ended the contest with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Weatherford (2-1) hosts Paschal on Tuesday, with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.
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