THRALL — The Thrall Tigers varsity baseball team scored nine runs in the bottom of the first inning to cruise to an 11-3 win over the Lexington Eagles on Tuesday, April 8.
Thrall’s offense came out firing, loading the bases with two walks and a single by senior Maverick McAllister. Sophomore Weston Smiley got the scoring started with a two-RBI single to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Senior Hayden Heselmeyer followed with a two-RBI single of his own to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Tigers added three more runs on a walk and an error before sophomore Gus Navejas capped the inning with an RBI single to make it 9-0.
Lexington answered with two runs in the top of the second on a two-RBI single and added another in the fourth to trim the deficit to 9-3. Thrall tacked on its final two runs in the bottom of the fifth with a two-RBI single from senior Ethan Boecker.
On the mound, Smiley got the start and pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs while striking out four. Senior Ty Matthews came on in relief, throwing 3 1/3 innings and giving up one run. Sophomore Jack Gustafson earned the win, pitching the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a run and striking out three.
With the win, Thrall improved to 16-4-1 overall and 4-3 in district play. The Tigers will close out their series against Lexington on the road Friday, April 11. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
Thrall Tigers sophomore Weston Smiley swings through a pitch during a victory over Clifton in the Thrall Invitational. Photo by Larry Pelchat
