By DAVID MAY
Special to Mineral Wells Area News
GRAHAM – Mineral Wells returned to the diamond Tuesday, picking up a big 4-0 at Graham for the team’s second win in their last three games.
The victory pulled the fifth-place Rams (6-14-1, 3-7) into a game behind the Steers in District 6-4A, with both teams set for a rematch Friday in Mineral Wells. The Rams also pulled to within a game of Stephenville, the team the Rams will face twice next week to end the regular season.
Rams starting pitcher Braeden Wells went the distance on the bump, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out three Steers.
Offensively, the Rams rapped out seven hits off Graham pitcher Ryder Taylor, who also went the distance. Three of the four runs allowed were earned. Taylor also walked four Rams hitters.
With two outs in the top of the second inning, courtesy runner Devin Russell scored from third on a passed ball, an inning set up by two walks and an error.
Mineral Wells plated three runners in the fourth inning, with two of those runs coming on an Adrian Holifield line drive triple into right field, scoring Clayton Ethridge and Ben Bullock. Ethridge led the inning off with a single and Bullock drew a one-out walk.
Wells took it from there, keeping the Steers in check throughout the game. He worked his way out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the first. He then retired the next six Steers batters. Wells benefitted from two turned double plays on the night.
Friday’s game at Pratt Field has a scheduled 7 p.m. start.