Solid Start for Apaches: 3-1 Weekend Against Top Teams

Weatherford, TX – The Apaches traveled to Weatherford to face off against two ranked opponents, #7 Salt Lake and #11 Iowa Western, as well as Weatherford itself. They came home with a 3-1 record for the weekend, marking a strong start to what promises to be an exciting season.

Game 1

The weekend series began with a 7-inning game against #7 Salt Lake, where the Apaches emerged victorious with a 4-0 win. The Apaches registered 5 hits and no errors, while Salt Lake had 6 hits and 2 errors. The first run of the game came in the second inning when Nico Ruedas hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Preston Newberry to score. The second run came when a strikeout turned into a wild pitch, allowing Lathan Van Ausdall to reach first base and Wilson to score. In the third inning, Anthony Martinez earned an RBI by grounding out, which allowed Finn Kaiyala to score. Troy Johnson made his season debut with a home run in the top of the fifth. The win went to Landon Fuller, who pitched 5 innings with 7 strikeouts and a 71-48 pitch-to-strike ratio.

Game 2

In the second game of the day, the Apaches faced #11 Iowa Western. The Apaches decided to pitch Colton Cross, Dane LeMaster, and Trevor Breaux. Cross recorded 4 strikeouts, allowed 2 hits, and gave up 1 earned run. LeMaster earned the win, and Breaux secured the save. Cross threw 71 pitches with 45 strikes. The Reivers were first on the board with a home run, but the Apaches quickly responded in the bottom of the second. Iowa Western then scored an unearned run due to an error in the third inning. The Apaches scored twice in the third—once on a sacrifice fly by Kaiyala and again on a passed ball. The Apaches added to their lead in the fourth with a walk that led to Stamps scoring. Iowa Western tied the game 4-4 in the seventh with two groundouts that allowed them to score. The Apaches answered with a 4-run rally in the seventh inning, thanks to a single by Ausdall, a hit-by-pitch for Stamps, an error that allowed Johnson to reach first, and a walk for Flores. The Apaches went on to secure a 9-7 victory over #11 Iowa Western.

Game 3

On day two, the Apaches faced Iowa Western once again. Will Patterson and Luke Devasher took the mound for the Apaches, with Patterson earning the win after pitching 5.1 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs, and 6 strikeouts. Patterson threw 70 pitches, with 47 strikes. The Apaches scored early, starting with a double by Gabe Flores in the first inning, which brought Ausdall home. Micah Roberts was walked, allowing Flores to score, and James Raecek singled to bring Kaiyala across the plate. Iowa Western responded in the bottom of the fifth with a 2-RBI home run, narrowing the Apaches' lead to 3-2. Landry Stamps sealed the victory for the Apaches with a home run in the sixth, and the Apaches won 4-2.

Game 4

The Apaches weren't able to sweep the weekend, as they were defeated 12-2 in a 9-inning game against Weatherford. The Wolves had a dominant first inning, scoring 11 runs through 3 singles, 1 double, 1 home run, 1 hit-by-pitch, and 1 walk. The Wolves added another home run in the second inning, extending their lead to 12-0. The Apaches were able to score two runs in the third inning, thanks to a single by Landry Stamps that brought in two runs. However, the Wolves held on to win 12-2, handing the Apaches their only loss of the weekend.