Mineral Wells Area News

By DAVID MAY

Special to Mineral Wells Area News

STEPHENVILLE – Gordon first baseman Josh Whitlock knocked in four runs and two pitchers combined for a five-inning no-hitter to lead the Longhorns to a 16-1 bi-district playoff win over Oglesby on Wednesday in Stephenville.

The Longhorns, which finished runners-up in District 13-1A, advance in the Region II bracket to take on Abbott in the regional quarterfinals. Abbott blanked Coolidge, 18-0, in their first-round playoff game.

Against Oglesby, Gordon grabbed a first-inning lead when Stryker Reed stroked a two-RBI single.

The Longhorns took command in the top of the second with six runs crossing the plate. Hudson Campbell, Aiden Shank, Brayden Walters, Whitlock and Reed each had RBI hits. Shank and Whitlock both doubled while Reed tripled.

Gordon then blew the game open in the third, scoring six more times on just two hits to take a 14-0 lead, over the error-prone Tigers. Three of Oglesby’s six errors happened in the third, allowing four Gordon runs while a passed ball scored another run in the frame.

The ‘Horns added single runs in the fourth and fifth. The Tigers’ lone run came in their half of the third on a pair of walks and a pair of hit batters.

Shank started on the mound for Gordon, going three innings and allowing the Tigers’ run. He struck out seven Oglesby batters while walking four. Reliever Maddox Stewart pitched a perfect two innings for the ‘Horns, striking out five.

Gordon baserunners recorded 10 steals in the game. The Longhorns smacked 15 hits, with Walters going 4-for-5 at the dish. Stewart, who began the game at shortstop, scored four times.

Oglesby finished first in District 14-1A but saw their season come to a crashing end.