By Moses Leos III.
A change in batting stance helped Lehman Lobo senior Trace Gonzalez become the hero Friday at Lobo Ballpark.
His solo home run with two outs in the tenth inning capped off a remarkable comeback, as Lehman upset the Schertz Clemens Buffaloes 13-12. Lehman splits the season series with Clemens, placing the Lobos in a tie with Kerrville Tivy for the last 27-4A playoff spot.
“I can’t be any prouder for a moment like that,” Lehman head coach Toby Robinson said. “[Especially] to keep battling against a great team that won our district last year.”
Torrid Buffalo bats quickly got to Lehman starter Derek Cisneros on Friday. Clemens rattled off five runs, four of them earned, in the top of the first inning. The Buffaloes added another run in the third to take a 6-0 lead.
Lehman battled right back in the bottom half. Five Lobo runs crossed the plate, highlighted by a two-run home run to left center field from senior Mark Garcia. That rally put Lehman back in the game, trailing 6-5.
Clemens responded in a big way, scoring six runs in the fourth and fifth innings — only three of them earned. They did so against Cisneros, followed by Garcia, who relieved Cisneros in the fourth.
With Clemens holding a 12-6 lead, it seemed the Lobos were primed to fall apart. Instead, they clawed their way back.
Their resolve was bolstered by a tremendous sixth inning. With two outs, Lehman bats stayed patient and loaded the bases. Senior Ryan Tello was hit by a pitch, scoring the first run of the inning.
With the bases still loaded, Gonzalez ripped a two run RBI single to left center field, cutting Clemens lead to 12-9. Senior Justin Penney followed with a two-run RBI single of his own, brining the Lobos back within a run at 12-11. With the crowd in near delirium, junior pinch hitter Ezekiel Jimenez reached on an infield error, allowing the game-tying run to score.
Lehman turned to Garcia on the mound, which kept Clemens’ offense at bay, forcing extra innings.
But Clemens wasn’t done, as they tried to furiously retake the lead. Their best chance came in the top of the tenth when they loaded the bases.
However, Garcia’s pitching ability, along with strong defense, thwarted the threat.
It allowed the Lobos to give Gonzalez a chance in the tenth. With two outs, Gonzalez approached the plate, working the count to 3-1.
The next pitch proved to be his shining moment. A high and tight fastball, he said, was too enticing to lay off of, as Gonzalez ripped a line drive shot over the left field wall.
“I didn’t expect to get a home run,” he said. “But I got it done.”
Robinson lauded the efforts of Gonzalez, who changed his approach at the plate.
“Trace put in some work this week. He felt like he wasn’t doing his job,” Robinson said. “Four hits and a walk-off bomb? Not bad.”
With just a handful of games remaining, Lehman now eyes a chance to get back in the playoff chase. Robinson said the team will take it one game at a time.
Still, being able to comeback and steal a win will forever be etched into Lobo lore.
“You don’t get these games every day,” Garcia said. “We played good, came back and we didn’t’ give up.”
