By CHARLES DEE
Alex Robles left no doubt that the Rebels had come to play when he led off the first Hays at bat with a booming home run that rattled off the Smithson Valley scoreboard to give the Rebs a 1-0 lead over Schertz Clemens in the initial game of the their regional quarterfinal series. The Rebs added one more in the inning when a Granger Studdard walk allowed Studdard to score on Dalton Niles two strike double.
The nerves of the moment showed in the Clemens half, as the normally stalwart Rebel defense committed two errors to allow the Buffaloes an unearned run. Clemens garnered a tally in the second as the Rebel defense again gave up an unearned run on an error and a base hit. Following an inning ending double play, Rebel pitcher Tyler Woodmansee, 12-2, found his groove and allowed only one Clemens runner the rest of the way. Woodmansee continued his stellar playoff performances by striking out six, walking only one and surrendering only 3 hits.
Tied 2-2 in the third ,Hays first baseman Justin Diaz drilled a two strike fast ball past an outfield light tower to retake the lead at 3-2. The Rebs padded that lead in the fourth as Justin Montana led off with a bunt single, moved to second on Robles second hit of the night, stole third and scored on J.C. Cerda’s base hit by the Buff first baseman. The Rebel offense, paced by Robles two hits, generated 8 hits during the contest.
The Rebels will continue the series Friday night, again in Smithson Valley, at 7:00 PM
