Mineral Wells Area News

Rams close regular season Friday at Brownwood

By DAVID MAY | Special to Mineral Wells Area News

Brownwood scored three runs in the top of the seventh then cut down Mineral Wells’ comeback bid to take a 4-3 win Tuesday night at Pratt Field.

The loss was the Rams’ third straight in District 6-4A and, coupled with Brock’s win Tuesday over Stephenville, assures Mineral Wells (6-3) will finish district runner-up to the Eagles (8-1). The regular season finales are Friday.

Curry Crouch started on the mound for Mineral Wells, keeping the Lions off the scoreboard through their first four at bats. He turned in five innings of work, allowing one unearned run and seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

The Rams took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Owen Gadd singled and reached third on a pair of Lions errors. Preston Mendez walked and stole second. William Hollifield’s sacrifice fly scored Gadd and advanced Mendez. Crouch helped his own cause with a run-scoring single.

In the top of the fifth, Brownwood hit a couple of singles and had both runners in scoring position after a passed ball with two outs. A single scored a run before Crouch was able to record a strikeout facing his last batter of the game.

Mineral Wells carried that 2-1 lead into the top of the seventh. In his second inning of relief, Hollifield issued a walk and two singles to load the bases with no outs. He picked off the runner at third for the first out. However he hit the batter and the bases were full of Lions. 

Brownwood followed with consecutive run-scoring singles to take a 3-2 lead. The Lions pushed another run across before Hollifield was able to end the inning with a strikout.

The Rams mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch hitter Devin Russell led off being hit by a pitch. Hayes Hering followed with a single, and was replaced by courtesy runner Jaidun Fisher. With two outs, pinch hitter Newt Schroeder doubled, scoring Russell. However, Fisher was cut down attempting to reach third base to end the game.

Brownwood tallied 11 hits in the game. Austin Pittman went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead Brownwood’s offense. Antonio Ybarra went 3-for-4. The Lions clinched a playoff spot with the win.

Mineral Wells travels to Brownwood for the last regular season game on Friday.