Mustang baseball historic run ends in round 3
Genell McClendon
The varsity baseball team prepares for the first round of the playoffs against Tyler Legacy.
June 3, 2021
The Sachse Mustang baseball team saw a heartbreaking end to the season falling two games to one against Rockwall Heath in round three of the playoffs.
The Mustangs managed to steal game one away from the hawks by pitching a no hitter lead with six strong innings by pitcher senior Carson Sowell. A 1,2,3 shutdown 7th inning by pitcher senior Jason Scrantom gave Sachse a 4-2 victory.
Games two and three were prime examples of the offense being shut down by the Heath pitchers. Game two the Mustangs could only manage two hits and one walk and lost 5-0.
Game three was more of the same pitcher duel for the first four innings, and then Heath struck big with a grand slam and a six run inning. The Mustang bats couldn’t get it going for a 10-0 loss ending their historic run.
“This season was absolutely incredible,” catcher sophomore Jhett Creel said. “We started district play 3-4 and then won 11 straight to go the furthest a Sachse team ever has, and we just couldn’t get the job done in the last series. It was an amazing season, and I can’t wait to do it again next year.”
The Mustangs did not have an easy route to the playoffs matching with Tyler Legacy in the first round having two low scoring games and taking a two game sweep and then taking down a top 15 team in the state, Belton High School, two games to one.
The team MVP for the Mustangs this year was shortstop junior Jesse Ponce. Ponce posted a .347 batting average with 30 RBIs on the year and was a force for the Mustangs in the three spot in the order. Ponce also won District Defensive Player of the Year with only five errors in over 80 chances.
“I had a rough start to the season,” Ponce said. “At first I couldn’t get anything going at the plate, but I found my stroke and locked in and had a really good season. I’m glad me and my brothers went as far as we did.”
Other bright spots this season were Alex Rangel who won District Offensive Player of the Year with a .533 district batting average.
Nathan Darden captured District Pitcher of the Year with a 8-5 record and a 1.8 ERA.
Scrantom and Creel along with senior Ryan Ochoa and juniors Harper Howard and Chris Marcellus were named to the All District First Team.
Seniors Carson Sowell and Davis Tea were named to the All District Second Team.