THRALL — Facing elimination after dropping the first game of its playoffs series against Mason High School, Thrall High School rattled off two wins Saturday, May 4, to advance to the next round.
The Tigers dropped the series opener Thursday, May 2, after the Punchers hit a walkoff single in extra innings, but picked up two back-to-back five-run victories to clinch the series.
The Tigers will play the Mumford Mustangs Thursday, May 9, at home.
Thrall 6, Mason 1
Junior Maverick McAllister earned the win after allowing just three hits over seven innings.
McAllister punched out eight Punchers throughout the game. His only run allowed was unearned.
Offensively, the Tigers scored the majority of their runs in the fifth and sixth inning. Leading 1-0, the pair of Jack Gustafson and Weston Smiley hit two consecutive doubles to score two runs in the fifth.
In the sixth, Thrall took advantage of multiple walks allowed to score three runs. The 6-1 lead would hold for the rest of the game.
Thrall 8, Mason 3
The Tigers scored five runs in the second inning to pick up the series-clinching victory. Thrall scored five runs on two hits in the top of the second inning. Carson Ball singled, scoring one run, Jack Watson drew a walk, scoring one run, Gustafson singled, scoring one run, Smiley was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, and McAllister hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.
Ty Matthews earned the win for the Tigers, giving up six hits and three runs over four innings. Gustafson pitched three scoreless innings to close out the series for Thrall and maintain the lead.
