Nathan Olson strikes out 10 in run-rule victory
By Mark Kusenberger
tsrnsports.com
Special to SAsports.com
Nathan Olson threw a three-hitter and struck out 10 to lead the MacArthur Brahmas to an 11-1 victory in 5 innings over Lee Volunteers Tuesday night at North East Stadium.
The Brahmas collected 12 hits, led by Rene Siller’s 3-3 and Michael Garza’s 3-4. Siller scored twice and drove in a run; Garza stole three bases and scored twice.
MacArthur broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second. Siller led off with a single against losing pitcher Ernie Sanchez (1-6). Matt Harrell walked and one out later Olson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nick Smelser grounded into a fielder’s choice to drive in Siller and give Mac the lead. Aaron McNeil followed with an RBI single to score Harrell and send Smelser to third. McNeil took a long turn around first and got caught in a rundown, but stayed alive long enough for Smelser to score the third run before McNeil was tagged out.
Lee scored their only run in the third. Volunteer catcher David Peterson singled to lead off, then his courtesy runner Joseph Martinez went to second on a bad pickoff throw. Rainey Martin singled to right field to drive home Martinez, went to second on the throw home, then went to third when the throw home went to the backstop. Martin was stranded on third after Anthony Tijerina grounded to first unassisted, Danny Montez struck out looking, and Jordan Leyva flied out to center.
MacArthur added 4 in the third on a sacrifice fly by Chris Bernal and a bases-clearing double by Nathan Olson. In the fourth, Bernal had an RBI-groundout and Siller an RBI single to make it 9-1 MacArthur.
In the bottom of the fifth, MacArthur clinched the victory with two runs off reliever Xavy Melendez. Pinch hitter Brandon Meadows led off with a single to left. Nick Smelser doubled him to third. One out later, Garza blooped a single to right field to drive home Meadows. Eric Evans was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Chris Bernal singled past the shortstop to score Smelser and clinch the win.
With the victory, MacArthur (16-7) completes the first half of District 26-5A play at 4-4, one game behind Churchill for the fourth and final playoff spot. Lee falls to 6-15 overall and 2-6 in district.
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