The Mason High School baseball team made quick work of Center Point thanks to a 21-2 victory March 28 to stay among the leaders of District 28-2A.
The Punchers left no doubt, racing to the early lead and adding to it because the game had to play five innings to be considered complete.
Trevor Loeffler started at pitcher and threw three innings and was relieved by Gustavo Valdez, who pitched one inning and allowed one earn and one unearned run, and Kingston Garza.
“They all pitched really well,” head coach Jay Immel said.
Offensively, Matthew King had four hits, including his 100th during the contest. Ray Row and Kalen Langehennig all “hit the ball well,” the coach said.
“Our top four are pretty good,” he said. “We had 19 hits. We have to put the ball in play. I told them we have to put the ball in play, and they did. Against Johnson City, we struggled. It was a great way to come back after Johnson City.”
The Eagles won the March 25 contest 8-1 to sweep the two-game series. The lone Puncher run came on a RBI single to left field by Row that scored Hunter Bradley, who hit a single then promptly stole second to be in scoring position.
That trimmed the deficit to 2-1.
“It was 2-1 for a while,” Immel said.
One moment in particular stayed with the Punchers.
It happened early in the contest when Hunter Bradley was on first base. Kalen Langehennig “hit a shot to left field.” The defender tracked the ball and caught it just before it hit the wall. Most of the time, that ball hits the wall and brings home the runner. But because the outfielder caught it, he started a double play and ended the threat.
“It was a heck of a play,” Immel said. “They’re the No. 1 team in (Class) 2A for a reason. They can flat out swing it. Their pitching is solid. They are a very good overall team.”
The Punchers welcome San Saba Friday, April 4, then travel there to finish the two-game series. Both contests begin at 6:00 p.m.
