GIDDINGS – Sound defense and timely offense helped the Taylor Ducks fly past the Giddings Buffaloes for their 19th win of the season.
The Ducks overcame the big obstacle of giving up six runs in the fourth inning to take home a 10-7 win on the road.
With the Ducks having their chance on offense first, they looked to seize control of the game early to apply pressure to the home team. The Ducks’ potent offense was able to break through in the top of the second inning scoring four runs to establish a 4-0 lead.
The Buffaloes responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the third inning to cut the Ducks lead to only three runs. The Buffaloes continued to climb the mountain to get back into the game, scoring six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it a 7-4 ball game.
The Ducks would then slowly chip away at the lead to get themselves back into the game. The fifth inning saw the Ducks’ catcher Nick Treuter recorded a base hit to start his team’s rally. Conner Cobb stepped in for Treuter as a pinch runner, as Cohen Tyree stepped into the batter’s box. Tyree found the pitch he liked and hit a high fly ball that dropped in the outfield allowing for the Ducks’ runners to advance. Tyree would wind up with a double while Cobb showcased his speed rounding all the bases and making it home for a point. The Ducks sat with a 7-5 lead going into the bottom of the fifth and needed to make a stand.
This was the start of the Ducks’ defensive rhythm as they faced three batters and secured three outs to go back on offense. The Ducks did not waste any momentum with Jake Jansky, remaining a reliable hitter for the Ducks, found himself on first after a base hit.
The Buffaloes secured two outs, which would make some teams’ batters nervous in the box, but not the Ducks. Dominick Hartman stepped into a pitch that flew into the outfield for a base hit, and Jansky rounded the bases to score another run to cut the lead to 7-6.
Only down a run, the Ducks defense again faced three batters and secured three outs. Treuter and Tyree recorded back-toback base hits to put a runner in scoring position in the seventh and final inning.
Aiden Aguero hit a sacrifice fly ball to advance Tyree to second, and with Cobb pinch running for Treuter again, he advanced to third. Mason Hortenstine hit a ground ball and as soon as the ball was thrown to first, Cobb took off at a blazing pace to score and tie the game up.
The Ducks’ defense stood tall against the Buffaloes and the game went into extra innings. After a spirited back and forth from the teams, the Ducks were ready to end it. Thanks to their sacrificial plays to help tie the game, Hortenstine and Aguero both made their way on base.
Hartman then settled into the box, and after a smack of the bat, the ball was in the air and then eventually over the fence to make the score 10-7.
The Ducks closed out the game, and hoped to sweep the Buffaloes at home Friday, April 14.
