A come-from-behind victory, a one-run loss and two blowout wins is how things went for the Taylor baseball team at the Cameron tournament this past weekend. The three wins put the Ducks back on the plus side at 5-4 as they head into district play.
Trailing the West Trojans heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Ducks rallied putting nine runs on the board to finish the game with a 9-3 victory. Devin Valdez took the ball against West, and went the distance, throwing six innings, allowing three runs, and striking out 10. Conner Barcuch led the charge offensively, posting two hits, a single and a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
Against Bridge City, the Ducks put three runs on the board to open the game and then were silenced the rest of the contest as the Cardinals rallied in the bottom of the sixth for a walk-off 4-3 win.
Matthew Aplin got the ball, lasting 5 1/3 innings, allowing for runs on seven hits, and three strikeouts. The Taylor offense scratched together singles by Dominick Hartman and Chris Perez, and a triple and three RBIs from Jackson Schroeder.
Taylor rebounded with shutout shut down of Thorndale piling up runs in the second, third, fourth fifth, and sixth innings for an 8-0 win over the Bulldogs.
Perez got start against Thorndale, throwing 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, and eight strikeouts.
In the final tournament game, the Ducks faced off against Lago Vista. Trailing the Vikings 3-1 heading into the bottom of the second inning, the Ducks exploded for their second nine-run inning of the tournament to take a 10-3 lead. The Ducks would not allow the Vikings to cross home plate again for the remainder of the game as Taylor sailed to a 13-3 win.
Aiden Aguero got the start, working four innings, allowing three runs on four hits, and four strikeouts. Aguero also posted a multi-hit game, collecting a single and a double. Aplin, Jonah Adame and Valdez all put together multi-hit games as well for the Ducks. Ashton Vega and Schroeder each hit safely, as did Jacob Turner and Coby Hanson, who both posted their first hits on the season. For Hanson, his double was his first varsity hit. Cohen Tyree connected and sent a ball over the center field for his first home run of the season.
The Ducks opened up district play last night at home hosting Salado, then travel to La Grange late in the week for four more tournament games.
