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Draden Boyd (22) weighs his options on the basepaths during the Lions' game against Miller Grove Thursday. Boyd scored two runs in the Lions' 15-5 victory. -
Tobin Potter (5) takes his stance in the batter's box during the Lions' game against Miller Grove Thursday. Potter batted 1/4, recorded three RBIs, and scored a run in the Lions' 15-5 victory. Photos by DJ Spencer
Metcalf scores three runs
MILLER GROVE — The Saltillo Lions broke a two-game losing streak Thursday by defeating the Miller Grove Hornets 15-5 on the road. After giving up an early run, the Lions took control for the remainder of the game, leading to a dominant win.
The Lions would step up to the plate first. They went down in order after both Lucas Womack and Tobin Potter struck out, and Mason Stillwagoner grounded out.
The Hornets came to the plate next, facing Eathan Rees on the mound. After a walk on the first at-bat, two outs followed on a pop out and a strikeout.
An RBI single followed, bringing home a runner and giving the Hornets a 1-0 lead. Following another walk, another strikeout brought the first inning to a close.
The second inning began with the bases loading up after Kolbe Cooke, Rees, and Draden Boyd all walked. Cooke soon scored after stealing home, tying the score at 1-1.
Soon after, Dylan Teel reached base on an error, and Rees scored, giving the Lions a 2-1 lead. Jordan Metcalf then reached base on error, allowing Boyd to score and extend the Lions’ lead to 3-1.
Teel then scored after stealing home, bringing the score to 4-1. After Grayson Gurley struck out, Womack reached base on an error. This was followed by Potter being thrown out on a dropped third strike.
Metcalf then stole home, and Womack scored on a wild pitch, extending the Lions’ lead to 6-1. Their turn finally ended when Cooke was called out due to offensive interference.
The Hornets went down in order during the bottom of the second inning, following a pair of strikeouts and a pop out, bringing the second inning to a close.
The third inning started with the Lions gaining two runners when Rees and Boyd walked. Rees soon scored on an error, bringing the score to 7-1.
The bases then loaded up after Teel and Metcalf walked. On the next atbat, Gurley grounded into a fielder’s choice, where Teel was tagged out at third base. Despite this, Boyd managed to score, making the score 8-1.
After Womack walked, Potter hit a 3-RBI triple, bringing Metcalf, Gurley, and Womack home and raising the Lions’ lead to 11-1. An RBI single by Stillwagoner would bring Potter home, making the score 12-1.
Cooke then reached base on an error, and Stillwagoner scored, extending their lead to 13-1. Two outs followed when Rees struck out and Boyd grounded out.
The bottom of the third inning began with a walk. Three outs followed on a pair of strikeouts and a pick-off, ending the inning.
The fourth inning started with Teel hitting a fly ball for an out. Two runners were then gained after Metcalf and Gurley walked.
On the next at-bat, Womack grounded into a fielder’s choice, where he would be tagged out at first base. Despite this, Metcalf scored, raising their lead to 14-1.
Soon after Gurley scored on a steal of home, bringing the score to 15-1. Their turn ended after Potter grounded out.
The bottom of the fourth inning kicked off with the Hornets loading up the bases on a double and two walks. After that, Rees was relieved by Stillwagoner on the mound.
The next batter was walked, bringing home a runner and trimming the score to 15-2. Another walk led to another run, as the Hornets cut the score to 15-3.
After a strikeout, a fielder’s choice brought home another run, reducing the deficit to 15-4. Consecutive strikeouts followed, ending the inning.
The fifth inning started with Stillwagoner hitting a pop fly ball for an out. After Cooke walked, the Lions’ turn ended after Rees grounded out and Boyd struck out.
The bottom of the fifth inning began with a runner reaching base on a dropped third strike. Soon after, the runner scored, making the score 15-5.
After a walk, two outs occurred on a strikeout and a pick-off. Following a hit by pitch, a ground out ended the game, as the Lions capped off a 15-5 victory.
As a team, the Lions batted 2 for 21 (.095) from the plate. Potter and Stillwagoner recorded one hit each.
Metcalf was the Lions’ leading scorer with three runs. Boyd, Gurley, Rees, and Womack all scored two runs each, while Cooke, Potter, Stillwagoner, and Teel added one run each.
Rees earned the win on the mound. Across three innings, he struck out six batters, allowing just five walks, four runs (three earned), and two hits. Stillwagoner pitched the final two innings in relief, striking out five batters while only conceding four walks and one run.
With the win, the Lions improved to 1-2 in district and 5-4 overall. They resumed action Tuesday, traveling to Alba to take on the Alba-Golden Panthers.