Calallen tops Boerne to open series as Steve Chapman ties wins record
BEEVILLE — Calallen still has to win one more game, but the Wildcats certainly made a statement against Boerne Thursday night and made some history.
The Wildcats' offense, building off the momentum from scoring double-digit runs in a win against Robstown to close a series last week, broke out for 13 hits in a 12-6 win against the Greyhounds in the first game of a Class 4A regional semifinal series at Joe Hunter Field.
The win not only gives Calallen a 1-0 edge in the series with Wildcat ace Justin Lamkin expecting to throw on Saturday in Game 2, but also was coach Steve Chapman's 1,115th victory as a head coach.
The victory tied him with Lubbock Monterey legend Bobby Moegle for most wins by a Texas high school baseball coach. If the Wildcats win one game on Saturday, they advance to the regional final and can make Chapman the winningest baseball coach in state history.
The series resumes at 4 p.m. Saturday with Game 2 at the North East ISD Sports Park in San Antonio.
"It means a lot to us," said Calallen pitcher Roberto Perez, who earned the complete-game pitching victory. "We want to be remembered as much with coach Chapman and have a special place in his heart. We just want to win, that's it."
Perez rebounded from allowing three runs in the first inning to quiet the Greyhounds bats the rest of the game as Calallen's bats came to life.
The Wildcats tied the game in the third when Terik Hickmon hit a two-run double, and then he hit a two-run home run in the fifth for some needed insurance and a 6-3 Calallen lead.
Calallen added six more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.
"(The home run) was important because it brought a whole bunch of energy to the game," Hickmon said. "It feels good because (Chapman) is an amazing coach and it's great to have that feeling."
Chapman was receiving congratulations for tying the wins record, but with at least one more game remaining in the series, his focus was on that after Thursday's victory.
"I don't even care, I don't even care, it's no biggie for me that's for sure," Chapman said with a laugh of the record. "(On Saturday), we are going to have to come out and play with the same kind of intensity and get our hits when we need to."
High School Baseball
Game 1
Calallen 12, Boerne 6
Thursday's highlights: Boerne vs. Calallen
Boerne broke out early when the Greyhounds scored three runs in the first inning off an RBI double by Rashawn Galloway and two-run triple by Tyler Garrintano. But the Wildcats offense rebounded by tying the game in the third with a two-run double by Terik Hickmon. Hickmon homered in the fifth for a 6-3 lead, and in the sixth the Wildcats scored six runs. In that inning, 11 batters came to plate as Emiliano Zapata, AJ Yepez, Matt Lopez, Ethan Salinas and Roberto Perez each had RBI. Perez, meanwhile, threw a complete game, giving up six runs on six hits.
Thursday's stars
Yepez finished the game 3 for 3 with an RBI, and Hickmon was 2 for 4 with four RBI and a run scored. Brayden Sprencel also had two hits, along with a run and RBI in the victory. In total seven Calallen players were credited with an RBI in the victory. Perez finished the night allowing the six runs and six hits, and had three walks and seven strikeouts. Boerne leadoff hitter Kalob Sanchez finished 3 for 4 with two triples and two runs scored, and Galloway was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Garrintano also had two RBI.
They said it
Calallen coach Steve Chapman on the Wildcats battling back after a 3-0 deficit: "The thing about it is, our kids in that first inning saw that we were going to be able to hit the guy and we just were patient and got our hits when we needed them."
Calallen pitcher Roberto Perez on rebounding after the first inning: "After the first inning, I'd have to try not to strike out people, just let my teammates help me out. The changeup wasn't working as much but the curve ball took its place."
High School Baseball: Calallen focused on Boerne as Steve Chapman nears coaching milestone
Len Hayward is a USA Today Sports Network Region sports director and the Caller-Times sports editor. Support more coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Calallen tops Boerne on historic night for coach Steve Chapman
