An all-around team effort guided the Lehman Lobo baseball team to a season, district and home opening 6-1 win over the Austin Maroons Feb. 20.
The Lobos handed the ball to senior pitcher Shane Miles, who excelled during his time on the mound.
Coming Up
Lehman opens play at the Alamo Heights Tournament starting Thursday night with a mid-day matchup with Jay High. Lehman resumes district play March 5 when they host Westlake. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
Over the first three innings, Miles recorded five strikeouts and dominated Austin’s lineup.
However, Maroon starting pitcher Victor Mendoza was equally as impressive, and the first few innings went by quickly and without much action.
The Maroons came close to breaking through Miles’ armor in the top of the fifth, getting runners at the corners with two outs in the frame. Lobo senior catcher Luke Abbott ended the threat by throwing out an Austin steal attempt at second base.
Lehman took advantage of Austin’s base running miscue in the next half-inning.
Following good at-bats from Zack Osaria, John Murillo and Albert Martinez, the Lobos loaded the bases for Austin Gonzalez, who promptly laced a single up the middle, bringing in two runs.
Lobo Embry Saucedo followed suit later in the inning with a three-run double down the right field line. The Lobos blew the game open and led 5-0 going into the sixth inning.
Miles recorded two strikeouts in a perfect sixth inning of work and showed zero signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, his offense backed him up when Martinez drove in a run on an opposite field single to left.
In the top of the seventh, the Maroons got to Miles, tallying a run off of him, which led to a pitching change. Lehman relief pitcher Nick Elisorio came in to record the final out in the Lobos’ season opening win. Lehman head coach Tony Robinson knew his team was ready going into the game.
“The kids have been fighting hard, practicing hard,” Robinson said. “We were ready.”
Miles recorded his first win of 2019 by recording 10 strikeouts and allowing only one run on six hits in 6.2 innings. Robinson said he has come to expect great performances like this one from Miles.
“Shane gave us a great performance, we knew he would,” Robinson said. “He’s a fighter. We are lucky to have him.”
Martinez went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Austin Gonzalez finished 1-for-3 with two runs batted in. Osaria walked twice and scored two runs.
