Hays catcher Justin Heath (pictured) and the Rebels coasted to a 4-1 victory over Del Valle thanks in part to a three-run Stefen Navarro homer.  (Photo by Joel San Miguel)

By JASON GORDON

Hays head baseball coach Doug Ragsdale likes his team’s version of a letdown.

In a game that the Rebels easily could have come out flat, they instead coasted to a 4-1 home victory over Del Valle Tuesday night.

It came after the most thrilling win of the season Friday night at San Marcos, which deadlocked the top of the District 17-4A standings between the Rattlers and Rebels.

“This had trap-game written all over it,” Ragsdale said. “I was really worried about a letdown after the emotional high of the San Marcos win.”

It did take Hays (16-6, 7-1 17-4A) awhile to get things going against Del Valle, but Stefen Navarro woke the crowd up with a three-run blast over the left field fence in the bottom of the third inning to give the Rebels a 3-1 lead.

“Stefen gave us a spark,” said Hays centerfielder Trade Gandy, who made two spectacular defensive plays in the game. “Once he hit that home run, it seemed like everyone on the team gained a lot of confidence.”

Hays starting pitcher Sam Breyfogle found his groove and allowed Del Valle no earned runs while scattering four hits on the night. He also struck out eight batters, including Daniel Reyna to end the game.

“I think even though we’re in first place we’re still a team that can improve,” Breyfogle said. “That’s definitely our goal heading into the final two weeks of the season.”

Friday against San Marcos, Phillip Abreo proved to be Mr. Clutch again for the Rebels, nailing a solo homer in the top of the sixth inning to give Hays a 3-2 lead. Reuben Miller followed with an RBI-double to score Shelby Sherman, and Hays became the first team in 17-4A this season to beat Rattlers’ ace pitcher Blake Bagley.

Dylan Morrow pitched brilliant in relief in the fifth and sixth innings, striking out five San Marcos batters, to pick up the win. Abreo came on to pitch the seventh inning for the save.

“It was one heck of a ballgame,” Ragsdale said. “I was enormously proud of my guys. Blake Bagley was very good again, so to get a victory over him at San Marcos was thrilling.”

Hays is back in action Friday night at Elgin. The Rebels host Dripping Springs in a non-district game on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m.