By DAVID MAY | Special to Mineral Wells Area News
Rams’ ace strikes out 13 Tigers in district opener
GLEN ROSE – Mineral Wells’ Holden Hering fanned 13 batters and allowed just three hits to lead the Rams to a 3-0 win Tuesday at Glen Rose.
The right-handed Texas Tech commit and pro baseball prospect went 6.2 innings. He walked just two hitters. William Hollifield recorded a strikeout in a one-batter relief appearance to secure the win.
The game was the District 6-4A opener for both teams.
Mineral Wells (9-6-1) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Hollifield led off reaching first after being hit by a pitch. He stole second then made it to third on a passed ball. Hering’s sacrifice bunt scored Hollifield.
With two outs, Kord Henry doubled to center and scored on a Hayes Hering single to stake Mineral Wells to a 2-0 lead.
Those two hits would be the only hits Mineral Wells would record the rest of the game, as Glen Rose (10-7) was also strong on the bump. Tigers starter Cullen Kickhoefer tossed five innings, striking out 10 Rams hitters and walking two but taking the tough loss.
After the top of the first, it was goose eggs on the scoreboard until the top of the seventh. It started just like the first inning, with leadoff hitter Hayes Hering bring struck by a pitch. Pinch runner Jaidun Fisher landed on second on a passed ball ahead off a walk to Owen Gadd. The Tigers turned a double on a Curry Crouch sacrifice that allowed Fisher to touch home plate.
Both teams played errorless ball. The Rams swiped four bases.
The teams will square off again Friday at Pratt Field in Mineral Wells. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.