Mineral Wells Area News

By DAVID MAY

Special to Mineral Wells Area News

ABILENE – The Mineral Wells Rams lost a hard-fought pitcher’s duel in Saturday’s first game of a weather-delayed bi-district series, 2-0, against San Angelo Lake View.

Friday’s scheduled series opener in Clyde was postponed because of heavy rains.

With the series shifting to Abilene Cooper, the Rams saw another strong pitching performance by starter Ben Bullock go by the wayside as he was out-dueled by the Chiefs’ righty hurler Wyatt Henry.

Bullock went the distance on the bump. He allowed seven hits, struck out seven and allowed just two walks. San Angelo scored single runs, both earned, in the first and third innings.

It was all the Chiefs would need as Henry was dominant against the Mineral Wells lineup. Rylan Wells and Ridge Newton mustered the only two hits allowed by Henry, who walked just one batter to go with a single strikeout.

Game two of the best-of-three series followed the first game, with the Chiefs again keeping Mineral Wells off the scoreboard through four innings while plating single runs in the second, third and fifth innings before the game was postponed with San Angelo up 3-0, still batting with the bases loaded and two outs.

Braeden Wells started, throwing 86 pitches before the postponement. He allowed eight hits and three runs (two earned). He issued three walks and fanned six through 4.2 innings of work.

Offensively Mineral Wells has managed five hits, but have been unable to string them together productively to produce a run.

Game two will resume 4:30 p.m. Monday at Abilene Cooper. A third game, if needed, will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.