Hawk’s Beat Johnson City in Nail-Biter, 3-2
Hawks Get Ready for Battle against Johnson City! (photo by Daniel Lee)
Canyon Lake held on against Johnson City winning a nail-biter after the Eagles loaded the bases in their final inning, but the Hawks held serve and won, 3-2.
The Hawks started off scoring 2 runs in their bottom of the 1st inning when CJ Parrish hit a ball to the right field wall for a double.
“We left a lot of opportunities go,” Head Coach Victor Escamilla said. “During this time of the year we are working with pitch counts and we had limited arms tonight….I felt that Avery got tired and Drew is a big boy and he was available and he did his job.”
That lead would hold up for the game and then a sacrifice fly off the bat of Drew Tyra scored Caleb Williams for an insurance run that had the same player (Tyra) pitching to save the contest.
Walks will many times sink a team and JC started the game hitting Williams and then issuing a walk to Tyra. Parrish hitting in the clean-up spot, cleaned the bases with a rocket to the fence and that 2 run lead.
Avery Montgomery was very efficient on the mound as Johnson City was not able to advance a runner past 2nd base thru the first 5 innings. CL’s defense was able to help with two double plays taking the offense out of the hands for the Eagles during that time period.
“I am feeling good and I have had more control with my slider and cutter added to my pitches to throw.” Montgomery started. “I am trying to be a Senior leader and I am the captain every time I pitch.”
Alayna-Gayle says way to Go Hawks!
Montgomery was relieved by Peyton McMullen after Montgomery issued a walk but a run scored on an error before a caught looking strike-out kept the Hawk lead to 2 runs, 3-1.
McMullen was shaky to start the 7th inning and walked the first two batters faced. Then a double down the 3rd base line scored a run and left two Eagles in scoring position with Canyon Lake still looking for their first out.
“That scared me at first,” Montgomery said talking about that last inning. “But I have confidence in them (Tyra & McMullen) and I just knew that he (Tyra) had it.”
Coach Escamilla would insert Tyra to help stop the bleeding and with a 3 pitch pop up to first base for the first out, kept the game in hand. Tyra wanted to build more excitement when he hit a JC batter next, to load the bases, still needing 2 outs to record a win.
Way to Go Hawks
“My heart was going a little fast,” Tyra said while responding to what he was thinking as he took the mound. “I was just trying to get the win.”
That hit batsman loaded the bases and the Hawks still had work to do to preserve their 4th win for this season.
“Getting that first out gave me confidence,” Tyra continued. “All I needed to do is throw hard and throw strikes.”
The Hawk defense brought their infield-in and Tyra took control in grand fashion with a 4 pitch strike-out and then a ground out to end the game. That final out was a 3 strike pitch count that sealed the deal for this Hawk win.
On what happens next when the team goes to the Somerset Tourney, “Win it!” Tyra exclaimed.
Canyon Lake will be busy in two days as they will venture to Somerset for their last tournament before district play begins during Spring Break week.
Go Hawks!!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Johnson City 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 CL Hawks 2 0 0 0 1 0 x 3 5 2 ab r h bi d bb so sb misc Caleb Williams 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 hbp Mason Lee 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Drew Tyra 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 sf CJ Parrish 3 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 Kyle Doerfler 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brandon Robinson 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 JT Greene 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 ph Greyson Lee 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Matt Anderson 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ph Ethan Slater 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Lee Stafford 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ph Nathan DeLeon 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 totals 21 3 5 3 2 4 1 3 pitching ip h r er bb so misc W L S Avery Montgomery 5.2 1 1 0 3 3 hb 1 0 0 Peyton McMullen .1 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 Drew Tyra 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 hb 0 0 1 totals 7.0 2 2 1 5 5 2 1 0 1 pitches-strikes: Avery Montgomery 65-41 Peyton McMullen 24-11 Drew Tyra 16-10
