It was an Allday affair for TC
Three home runs, 15 RBIs ignite Texarkana’s sweep
| By: Johnny Green - Texarkana Gazette - | Published: 04/02/2009 |
Texarkana College’s David Allday celebrates with teammates at home plate after hitting a grand slam in the opening inning Wednesday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader against Lon Morris at George Dobson Field. The Bulldogs were dominant in both games.
It wasn’t, much to the chagrin of Lon Morris College, the victim of Allday’s three-home run, 15-runs-batted-in assault in Texarkana College’s 25-7, 17-1 doubleheader sweep.
“I really don’t know what was going on. It was just one of those days, I guess,” said Allday, who went 5 for 6 with 10 RBIs in Game 1. “I was seeing the ball good, and I was sitting back waiting on slow pitching. My confidence is up because I’m seeing the ball good. And it’s good to be back home.”
That sentiment was shared by Bulldogs coach Will Bolt, who saw his team score 42 runs and collect 38 hits in the team’s first home games since Feb. 22.
“It helps just getting into a routine,” Bolt said. “We actually got to practice outside here yesterday, and we actually haven’t had an outdoors practice in three weeks. And we had a really good team practice yesterday with a lot of energy despite the fact we had been on the road Sunday and Monday. The familiarity helps, and this is a good hitter’s park.”
Allday had a grand slam in TC’s 8-run first inning in the opener. He also had a solo blast in the second and followed it up with two singles and a 2-run triple. In his final at-bat, he hit a screamer through the first baseman’s legs, reaching on the error.
Allday’s bat wasn’t the only one smoking in the opener. John Stilson was 4 for 5 with a double and triple, Joaquin Hinojosa 3 for 3 with a home run and Brian Ellis 3 for 5 with a double and triple. Austin Atwell had three hits and scored four runs, as did Hinojosa. One of Jordy Snikeris’ two hits was a 2-run homer, and Gip Hendrix also had two hits.
Recipient of the hitting barrage was left-hander Zach Fowler (6-2), who took a 12-1 lead into the fourth inning before surrendering six runs and seven hits. Brittan Diamond, Ty Moore and Colton Reavis finished the game with a scoreless inning apiece.
“The fourth was going to be Zach’s last regardless,” Bolt said. “I was going to get him out of there after it. I wanted to see him compete and pitch through rather than go get somebody else. He’s been there for us all year, and he’ll continue to be.”
Lon Morris (3-25, 0-12) made a game out of it for two innings in the nightcap before the Bulldogs (24-11, 8-5) sent 12 batters to the plate in the third, scoring seven runs on just four hits. Bearkats starter Jake Flowers hit three consecutive batters with the bases loaded, forcing in runs.
TC put the game away with a 6-run fifth, capped by Allday’s 3-run shot that soared over the fence in right. The former Texas High standout increased his home run total to seven and his RBI number to 37.
Right-hander Tanner Bailey (6-1) allowed five hits, struck out eight and walked none over five innings. Shane Cole gave up a run on three hits in the sixth, and Diamond closed out with another scoreless inning in the run-rule contest.
“Tanner pitched really well,” Bolt said. “He could have finished, but we wanted to get the bullpen guys on the mound to get used to pitching at home again. We just had some guys that needed to get some work in.”
Brian Ellis had three hits, including a solo homer over the fence in center, to lead an 11-hit attack. Allday had a home run and double in three at-bats, and Trey Buck tripled and singled. Michael Long had a pinch-hit, 2-run double.
The Bulldogs start the second round of Region XIV East Conference play Saturday against front-running Panola College at Dobson Field. The only conference road trip remaining for TC will be Lon Morris at Jacksonville on the final date of the season.
GAME 1
Lon Morris 001 600 0 — 7 11 2
Texarkana 822 373 x — 25 27 3
Justin Davis, Hector Plaza (3), Matthew Hamilton (6) and Carlos Gonzales. Zach Fowler, Brittan Diamond (5), Ty Moore (6), Colton Reavis (7) and Jordy Snikeris, Michael Long (6). WP-Fowler (6-2). LP-Davis. HR: TC-David Allday, 1st, 3 on; Joaquin Hinojosa, 2nd, none on; Allday, 3rd, none on; Snikeris, 5th, 1 on.
GAME 2
Lon Morris 000 001 0 — 1 9 2
Texarkana 007 262 x — 17 11 0
Jake Flowers, Jesus Barroila (4), Jose Pichardo (6) and Luigadel Santiago. Tanner Bailey, Shane Cole (6), Brittan Diamond (7) and Lance Marvel. WP-Bailey (6-1). LP-Flowers. HR: TC-Brian Ellis, 4th, none on; David Allday, 5th, 2 on.
