They fell from their customary perch atop the district last season and were in second place entering this week, which are unfamiliar positions for the Bushland Falcons.
As of Friday afternoon, though, they were back to where they were used to being – looking down at the rest of District 1-3A.
Bushland capped a big week Friday by routing River Road 17-1 in a six-inning 10-run mercy rule decision on the road. It was the second time the Falcons (16-5, 6-1 in district) scored a run-rule victory last week, as they opened it with a 13-1 victory over Tulia at home in five innings, the win which gave them sole possession of the district lead.
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After Bushland opened the scoring against RIver Road (3-11, 0-7) with a run in the top of the first, the Wildcats answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to tie it. From that point on, though, it was all Falcons.
Bushland took the lead for good at 3-1 in the top of the third on back-to-back RBI doubles by Wade McConnell and Hunter Kissane. McConnell capped a five-run fourth inning with a three-run double which made it 8-1.
The Falcons made sure the game didn’t go the distance with eight runs in the top of the sixth. They had eight runs on eight hits to attain the run-rule cushion.
McConnell was 3-for-4 and drove in five runs to lead Bushland’s 17-hit attack. Six Falcons had at least two hits each.
There was no suspense for the Falcons when they hosted Tulia (11-5, 5-1) to open the week. Tulia held the district lead by a half-game over Bushland and took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
However, Bushland overwhelmed the Hornets with 12 runs in the bottom of the inning and cruised from there. Winning pitcher Lincoln Krause struck the big blow with a two-run home run. Krause, McConnell and Bryson Jimenez all drove in three runs for the Falcons.
District 3-5A
Amarillo High scores three wins, holds district lead alone
They’re halfway through district play, and the Amarillo High Sandies showed last week why they’re alone ahead of everybody else.
The Sandies scored three decisive wins last week, and are a game up on the rest of the field after sweeping Amarillo ISD rival Caprock in a pair of run-rule wins, winning 13-0 in six innings Friday and 15-1 in five innings Saturday.
Amarillo High (21-3, 7-1 in district) thoroughly dominated Caprock (7-15, 1-7) to close the week. Taegen Tate was near perfect on the hill for the Sandies in the first game, throwing a six-inning no-hitter with 13 strikeouts and only one walk.
The Sandies got all they needed with four runs in the top of the first. Tate and Jimmy Escajeda both drove in two runs on the day for Amarillo High.
Saturday, Amarillo High took control of the game with four runs in the bottom of the second and got the run-rule margin with eight in the fourth. Xander Plowman had two hits and drove in three runs for the Sandies while Escajeda, Cohen Swaim and Goldyn Howell all drove in two.
District 4-4A
Canyon, West Plains, Hereford remain tied for first
The late week action did nothing to relieve the logjam atop the district, as Canyon, West Plains and Hereford all won to hold serve and remain in a three-way tie for the district lead.
Thursday, just 48 hours after a 4-3 loss to Canyon knocked them out of sole possession of first, the West Plains Wolves (16-6, 5-1 in district) bounced back by surviving a tense 3-1 win at Borger. Reid Macon threw a one-hit shutout for West Plains, giving up just one earned run, outpitching a strong effort by Borger’s Lincoln Buchanan.
Also on Thursday, Hereford (11-9, 5-1) beat Dumas 9-6 to keep pace. Leadoff hitter Kalub Ramirez had three hits and scored four runs.
Friday, Canyon (15-6-1, 5-1) beat Pampa 13-0 in a five-inning run-rule win on the road to keep pace. Carson Allen was 3-for-3 and drove in three runs, Bayler Schilling was 4-for-4 and drove in two runs and Jake Doak drove in two runs. Tanner Snider threw five shutout innings, giving up one hit and striking out eight.
District 1-2A
West Texas High, Sanford-Fritch split wild series
West Texas High and Sanford-Fritch had quite the district opening week, playing two thrilling games on Tuesday and Friday. In Tuesday’s district opener, the Eagles walked off the Comanches for an 8-7 win in eight innings, only see WT High repay the favor with a come-from-behind walk off 10-9 victory on Friday at Comanche Field.
On Tuesday, the contest was tied, 7-7, heading into the bottom of the eighth when Sanford-Fritch’s Kellen Henderson singled to drive in Cash Hayes for the game-winning run. Hayes was electric the entire way going 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs in the win.
During Friday’s game, the Eagles looked to have a sweep handled up 9-4 through five innings only to see the Comanches score four in the sixth and then two in the ninth to get the dramatic win. Landen McLaughlin had the heroics for WT High delivering a two-run single to call ball game.
Jacob Green also had a big evening for the Comanches going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. The Comanches are now 6-6 on the year and 1-1 in league play. The Eagles are also 1-1 in district and 10-4 overall.
WEEKEND SCORES
District 3-5A
Friday’s games
Amarillo High 13, Caprock 0
Lubbock Coronado 11, Palo Duro 1
Lubbock-Cooper 10, Plainview 5
Lubbock Monterey 6, Lubbock High 5
Saturday’s games
Amarillo High 15, Caprock 1
Coronado 21, Palo Duro 6
Lubbock-Cooper 2, Plainview 1
Monterey 3, Lubbock High 2
District 4-4A
Thursday’s games
West Plains 3, Borger 1
Randall 5, Perryton 2
Hereford 9, Dumas 6
Friday’s game
Canyon 13, Pampa 0
District 1-3A
Friday’s games
Bushland 17, River Road 1
Tulia 12, Childress 4
District 1-2A
Tuesday’s games
Gruver 16, Highland Park 0
Sanford-Fritch 8, West Texas High 7 (8)
Friday’s games
Gruver 10, Highland Park 0
West Texas High 10, Sanford-Fritch 0