Victor Rubio and the Hays baseball team have reeled off four straight wins since a loss to Lehman. The Rebels are now 12-4 overall and 3-1 in District 27-4A. (Photo by Liza Anna Amezquita)
by JASON GORDON
Hays High head coach Doug Ragsdale predicted Lehman’s first-ever win over Hays two weeks ago wouldn’t have a lingering effect on his team.
He certainly was correct.
Since then, the Rebels have reeled off four straight wins, including three in District 27-4A, to climb back in the thick of the league race.
“The loss to Lehman was tough, but we knew we had to keep competing,” said Hays pitcher Matt Casas. “We have no doubt that we still have a chance at a district title.”
Last night, Hays beat Lockhart 7-4 to improve to 12-4 overall and 3-1 in District 27-4A.
Chase Brunnemann nailed a three-run double with two out in the top of the seventh to snap a 4-4 tie to lead Hays to victory over the Lions. Reuben Miller’s two home runs in the game for the Rebs helped Hays come back from an early 3-1 deficit.
“I think the loss to Lehman motivated us,” said Hays catcher Victor Rubio. “The team has really come together and our goal now is to win another district title.”
Hays has won four district titles in a row for the second time in Ragsdale’s career and is going for its fifth straight.
The Rebels got back on the winning track after the loss to the Lobos with an 8-5 victory at Alamo Heights.
Hays jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning on RBI singles by Masen Gully, Nick Cavazos, Casas and Rubio.
The Rebels added three more runs in the top of the third as Miller led off with a double, and Gully and Rubio followed with RBI singles that scored Miller, Stefen Navarro and Trevor Ragsdale.
Hays next took on Del Valle in non-district action and knocked off the Cardinals 5-1 behind the brilliant pitching of starter Thomas Shannon and reliever Trevor Ragsdale.
Friday night against Clemens, the Rebs prevailed 5-2 behind Casas’ four-hit pitching over six innings. Cavazos came on in the seventh to pick up the save.
At the plate, Miller was 3-for-3 and Navarro delivered the big shot in the game, a monstrous three-run homer to left-center field in the third inning to give the Rebels the insurance runs they needed.
“The most important thing with this team has been consistency,” Ragsdale said. “The kids have really grooved their swings and we’re hitting the ball hard, and our pitchers are throwing strikes. Defensively, we’re making all the routine plays and some of the spectacular ones, and that’s what you have to do to play winning baseball.”
