Dwinell’s moonshot leads Bearcats to victory

Scoring three runs in the top of the first innings in both games led to two dramatically different outcomes for Aledo’s spring playoff teams.

Bosten Dwinell got all of the 0-2 offering in his first at bat and then some when he obliterated the baseball for a solo home run deposited well over the right-field fence in the Bearcats’ 8-0 rout of hosting Trimble Tech in game one of bi-district action on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a three-run top of the first by Richland was the difference maker in Game 1 of the area matchup between the hometown Aledo squad and the visiting Lady Royals. Richland won the game, 3-1.

In the bi-district game at Arlington Heights, the Bearcats beat the cover off the baseball. Of Aledo’s 10 hits collected in the seven-inning affair, seven went for extra bases. On top of his solo shot in the first, Dwinell later doubled in the game, as well.

Bryce McCain has become a problem opposing teams cannot figure out lately. After bunting for a pair of singles in the season finale last week, Aledo’s centerfielder went 3-for-3 against Trimble Tech with a pair of doubles, a triple, a pair of RBI’s, and he scored a run in each plate appearance.

As hot as the Bearcats have been at the plate, the pitching staff has been un-hittable. Matthew Clark threw five shutout innings to start the game for Aledo. He struck out 10 of the 15 outs he accounted for in the contest while surrendering a lone walk.

Jake Bumgardner and Dwinell were rock solid for the Aledo coming out of the bullpen. Each of them put in an inning of work keeping their stat line clean to preserve the no-hit, shutout.

The Ladycats, on the other hand, struggled to get going offensively throughout the contest. The one run for Aledo scored by Texas Ray in the bottom of the second inning was the team’s lowest offensive output since their March 31 game against Northwest, which they won, 1-0.

A walk, single, triple, and an error in the top of the first inning gave the Lady Royals an early advantage. After the first inning, the Ladycats settled down, only allowing three Richland baserunners the rest of the game.

Unfortunately, it was too little, too late as Aledo labored at the plate unable to mount an offensive threat.

The Ladycats look to tie the series up tonight on the road in Richland with an official start time of 5 pm. Meanwhile, the Bearcats will have an opportunity to close out the series against Trimble Tech on their home field at 7 pm.