Robstown breaks out for 4 runs in 6th inning to sweep Pleasanton in UIL baseball playoffs
ROBSTOWN — In the midst of a pitcher's duel and runs coming at a premium for Robstown and Pleasanton, the Cotton Pickers never seemed to lose confidence or faith they could win.
In the sixth inning, that ability to stay the course proved important as Robstown broke through with four runs against crafty Pleasanton left-hander Cade Seguera, who allowed three hits through the first five innings and retired nine straight at one point.
Christian Marroquin, though, knew he had to find a way to put the bat on the ball, and he did. Marroquin's "seeing-eye single" that skipped past Seguera on the mound and over second base to score two runs helped push the Pickers to a 4-0 victory and a sweep in a Class 4A area-round series. Robstown won the first game Friday 3-0 in Pleasanton, and now gets ready for rival Calallen in the third round.
"When I hit it, I just got it on the barrel and I had to do it for my team and that's what I did," said Marroquin, who finished 1 for 3 with two RBI. "(It) was just excitement, I was ready for round three because I knew our defense was going to get the last three outs, and that's what we did."
Even with a four run lead, the top of the seventh provided some drama for the PIckers. Robstown left-handed hurler Esai Gonzales was nearing his pitch count limit in the inning and gave up a lead-off single to Tanner Hollis. But after a strikeout and on the last batter he would face, Gonzales induced Max Sauceda into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play to give Gonzales a complete-game shutout.
Gonzales and Game 1 pitcher Chris Soliz combined for two complete-game shutoutsand allowed two walks. Meanwhile, Seguera took the hard-luck loss, allowing four runs, all unearned, on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
"It was just keep throwing strikes, try to get outs," Gonzales said of his mentality in the seventh inning. "I had a lot of faith in them (on the double play), I knew they weren't going to mess it up."
Robstown will take on rival Calallen in a regional quarterfinal series scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19 with the site and schedule still to be finalized.
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
CLASS 4A AREA ROUND
GAME 2
ROBSTOWN 4, PLEASANTON 0
Saturday's highlights: Robstown vs. Pleasanton
Robstown starter Esai Gonzales and Pleasanton starter Cade Seguera kept each team in check through five innings as the Eagles threatened first in the opening inning. But Gonzales worked out of the game and Pleasanton had runners in scoring position two more times over the next six innings. Seguera, meanwhile, retired nine straight after allowing two hits in the second inning. But after Roque Serrano reached on a one-out error and Chris Soliz on a fielder's choice and it seemed to open the door. Christian Marroquin hit a two-run single and then Jonathon Ovalle followed two batters later with a two-run double for some insurance.
Saturday's stars
Gonzales finished with a complete-game shutout as he scattered five hits over seven innings, with one walk and 10 strikeouts. Marroquin finished the day 1 for 3 with two RBI, and Ovalle was 1 for 2 with 2 RBI on the day. Serrano, Joel Paredez and Zarek Diaz also had hits for the Pickers. Pleasanton catcher Tanner Hollis finished 2 for 3 on the day as Seguera struck out three and allowed two walks in 5.2 innings.
They said it
Robstown outfielder Christian Marroquin on Robstown's confidence late in the game: "It's just the brotherhood, and leadership on our team, it's amazing. We have so many leaders."
Robstown pitcher Esai Gonzales on Robstown's late-game confidence: "We won (Friday), and that had a lot to do with our mentality today."
Robstown coach Elias Vasquez on Marroquin's two-run single: "At that point in time, I just wanted to hit the ball. We were praying it would get through and it did, it was a good deal. We just wanted to put contact on the ball and put some pressure on them."
High School Baseball: Terik Hickmon's two home runs key Calallen rout of Crystal City to sweep playoff series
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: Robstown Cotton Pickers sweep Pleasanton in UIL baseball playoffs
