Mineral Wells Area News

Mineral Wells defeats North Crowley in Thursday home affair

By DAVID MAY | Special to Mineral Wells Area News

For the first time in their last six games, the Mineral Wells Rams celebrated victory Thursday after their 7-4 win over North Crowley.

The Rams scored in two in their last three at bats to pull away in a game that was tied at three runs apiece after four innings.

William Hollifield got the win after pitching three innings in relief of starter Hayes Hering, who also turned in a three-inning hill performance. Newt Shroeder worked around a two-out error in the top of the seventh, getting two strikeouts and a ground out to record a save. None of the Panthers’ four runs were earned.

Hollifield helped his cause with a two-RBI hit. Hering had his own two-RBI hit to help pace the Rams’ late offensive surge.

The visiting Panthers got on the scoreboard in the top of the first after a leadoff double and advancement to third on a passed ball. A groundout to second resulted in the runner scoring for a 1-0 lead.

Devin Russell reached second on a bunt that scored Curry Crouch. Crouch drew a one-out walk, stole second and moved to third on a ground out to set up the run-scoring play.

North Crowley responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 3-1 advantage. The first four Panthers batters reached base via a walk, a single, a hit batter and an error. With two outs the Panthers scored another run on a single. Rams shortstop Kord Henry fielded a grounder and fired home to Crouch, who tagged out a Panthers runner to end the inning.

Mineral Wells came right back in their half of the fourth. Hering led off reaching first on a hit-by-pitch. Charlie Ramsey was inserted to run for Hering. After a fly out, a Shroeder single put two Rams on base. Mineral Wells loaded the bags on an Owen Gadd single to left. An infield fly left it up to Hollifield to deliver and he did, sending a fly ball into center for a double scoring Ramsey and Shroeder.

With the game knotted at three, Mineral Wells struck for two runs in the bottom of the fifth, which began with the first two Rams receiving walks. Holden Hering and Henry pulled off a double-steal, followed by Hayes Hering’s hit to score both runners and a 5-3 lead.

North Crowley tightened the game with a run in the top of the sixth. But the Rams scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the frame. Gadd reached second base on an error in left field. Crouch moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt. 

With two outs, Russell smacked a line drive that resulted in an error, allowing Gadd to score. Russell took second on a wild pitch, leading to an intentional walk of Holden Hering. Henry’s single to center loaded the bases. Russell swiped home to put Mineral Wells on top by the final 7-4 margin.

Hollifield allowed five hits and three runs (none earned) over three innings, striking out two and walking two. Hayes Hering allowed one hit and one run (none earned) over his three innings, striking out four and walking three.

The Rams (8-6-1) next play at Glen Rose on Tuesday.