In a battle for district runner-up, the Taylor Ducks baseball team came out on top this past Friday, April 22, over the Burnet Bulldogs, 6-1. With the win, the Ducks take the season series over the Bulldogs and solidify the second-place spot.
The Ducks got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning. The Ducks scored two runs on just one hit for the early lead. Dominick Hartman battled for a line drive dingle to left field. Hartman then advanced via a sacrifice bunt by Jackson Schroeder. Catcher Nick Treuter was hit by a pitch to reach base. Jackson Meller came on as a courtesy runner for Treuter. Ashton Vega reached base on an error by the center fielder that moved up Hartman and Meller. A fielder’s choice play and error throws drove home both Hartman and Meller for the Taylor 2-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Bulldogs cut the Ducks lead in half, 2-1. Burnet got on the board following a double, single and error by the Ducks.
The Ducks added their final four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Schroeder led off the inning with a single to right field. Conner Barcuch came in to run for Schroeder. Vega reached base after being hit by a pitch. Jacob Turner followed suit with a hit by pitch to load the bases. On an 0-2 count, Matthew Aplin drove a double to left field to clear the bases and extended the Taylor lead to 5-1. On four pitches, Jacob Adame walked. Aplin advanced to third on a passed ball. Cohen Tyree then hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive home Aplin for the game’s final run.
Aplin’s double was the top hit of the game for the Ducks as he finished 1-for-2 with three RBI’s and one run scored.
Chris Perez went the distance on the mound against the Bulldogs striking out 12 to bring his season total to 110 through 11 games. For the game Perez surrendered just the one run on four hits.
The Ducks wrap the regular season with a home and home series against Georgetown Gateway Prep. Taylor traveled to Georgetown on Tuesday, April 26, and will host the Gators this Friday, April 29, for
