After posting a 4-1 mark in tournament play last weekend, the Chaparrals kept early-season momentum rolling by sweeping Copperas Cove and Seguin during a day-night doubleheader Thursday.
The nightcap was decided by the end of the second inning, so let’s kick it off with the more intriguing matchup of the two.
Westlake - Copperas Cove
Austin-Westlake starting pitcher, Braden Davis, worked in and out of trouble in the top of the first. Copperas Cove’s first three batters of the evening combined for a single and a pair of walks to load up the bases. But Davis would go on to strike out Bulldogs catcher Russell Cochrin before inducing a 4-6-3 double play from Dylan Martinez.
In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Blake Peterson coasted to second base after drawing an error from Copperas’ right fielder on the first pitch he saw. Reese McCray, who reached base on all six of his plate appearances Thursday, would then drive in Peterson with a double after the No. 2 hitter (Cole Maye) struck out looking.
Davis subsequently settled into a groove for the Chaps, retiring nine of 11 batters between the second and fourth innings while recording five strikeouts.
The Bulldogs found a spark in the top of the fifth, with shortstop Travis Simms delivering a double. He’d steal third base, and then score on a passed ball to even things up 1-1 going into the home half of the inning.
Copperas Cove starter Deacon Radigan delivered a gutsy six-inning performance. Radigan gave his team a chance to win, dulling the damage in a couple of high-leverage spots. He tallied 10 strikeouts while conceding just three hits, but a second untimely mistake from his defense would diminish an otherwise solid outing.
Peterson, who may have been the day’s offensive MVP for Westlake, absorbed a wild offering from Radigan to reach base on a hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the fifth. DH Cole Maye redeemed an 0-for-2 start, bringing Peterson home with an RBI double three pitches later. Maye would eventually score himself, aided by a passed ball and an erroneous throw from Copperas shortstop Simms.
Much like we would see from a dominant running back in December, Davis continued to wear down opponents as the game progressed. His fastball only gained veracity throughout the evening, as he would strike out six of seven Copperas Cove batters over the final two innings to lock down the 3-1 win for Westlake. So much for the game’s pervasive trend of deploying “openers” and reduced pitch counts.
Davis is the real deal. He's a legitimate No. 1 option in the rotation, and a daunting presence in the batter's box. Davis went 2-for-4 at the dish, with two walks and a run scored over Westlake's two Thursday games.
Westlake - Seguin
Seguin's starter logged just one out in the second inning before being chased from the game, as Westlake racked up three runs its first time through the lineup.
Nick Carmona was able to come in and maneuver out of a bases-loaded jam to keep Seguin at a 5-1 deficit after two innings, but the wheels came off in the third. The Chaps batted around the order, pushing seven runs across and forcing Seguin into yet another pitching change.
Micah Rodriguez was able to set down two of three Westlake hitters to put an end to the nightmarish frame. The damage had already been done, however. The so-far stagnant Seguin offense found itself in a 12-1 hole going into the fourth.
Lefty Chance Covert struggled with command early, but he'd shut down the Matadores upon finding his rhythm. After allowing the first four Seguin batters to reach base in the opening frame, he'd concede only two hits the rest of the way while fanning a pair. His stuff wasn't dominant, but Covert located his pitches precisely in key situations. He'd leave four runners stranded over his final three innings of work, while predominantly keeping the ball on the ground. Only one of Westlake's putouts against Seguin came from an outfielder.
An 11-run differential after four innings meant it was time to go home. Westlake's dominant performance brought the "mercy rule" into effect, as umpires ruled the contest a 12-1 final.
Westlake has another doubleheader coming up Friday at Woerner Field in Austin -- this time with both matchups against Glenn High School.
The Chaparrals sit at 6-1 in the early going, as the program takes aim at ending a 36-year state title drought.