.gif)
On Thursday, June 20, the Rice Raiders and Sealy Tigers made the trip all the way out to Brenham for a showdown in the middle of the beautiful Texas countryside.
Both teams came into the game with something to prove and it made for an instant classic amongst the youth All-Star community.
To set the stage let’s start the journey like the teams did in the top of the first inning. Rice’s dynamic base running was prominently displayed, and they were able to open the scoring because of it.
They used their speed, caught Sealy not paying attention, and stole extra bases constantly throughout the game. Being behind in a game early is never fun for any team but it is an opportunity to provide the team with some momentum by climbing out of that early hole quickly.
Sealy did just that by responding with three runs of their own and put the pressure back on Rice who now found themselves in a 3-1 hole after one inning of play. With plenty of time left, Rice never panicked, and Sealy continued to apply more pressure.
The next two innings were scoreless with both teams doing their level best to impose their will onto the other. The fourth inning rolled around, and Rice started to cause havoc on the bases again.
Not only that but their bats started to come alive, and this is where the crowd started to pulsate as well. It had all the makings of a crazy ending and Rice’s big fourth inning was a big factor as to why.
Sealy’s defense was all over Rice for most of the early game and frustrated some of their batters. But as the game moved on Rice found a way through.
Rice scored only two runs in the fourth inning, but it tied the game briefly, which was enough motivation for the Raiders to press their foot on the gas. They gave up one run in the bottom of the fourth to Sealy who was not going done that easy.
With the score sitting at 4-3, no one scored in the fifth inning which made the sixth make or break for Rice. Rice’s offense continued to buzz though after being shutout in the fifth and scored six runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead for the first time since the first inning.
Jericho Cobia, Ellis Karter, Flores Kelso and Reyes Santiago each hit a double during the game for Rice and contributed mightily to them recapturing the lead. Santiago also used his speed to his advantage by hitting the only triple in the game.
Leading 9-4 going into the bottom of the sixth Sealy’s back was against the wall and knew they had to respond in a big way to keep their season going. The first two Sealy batters walked, and their offense woke up.
Sealy’s next four at-bats went as follows, a single from Kamden Caldiff, Double from Mason Walton, singles from Jaxson Kveton and Granger Hiuchan and finally, a double from Jase Maloney. Those four hits scored six runs for Sealy and in turn ended the game.
The walk-off double from Maloney was met with an eruption of cheers from the Sealy All-Stars faithful. Shortly after the two teams shook hands in a sign of mutual respect for a truly outstanding game for everyone involved.
