Warriors beat Beaumont in tourney
Originally published March 11, 2011 at 11:21 p.m., updated March 11, 2011 at 11:21 p.m.
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CommentPitching isn't going to be problem this season for Victoria West. Manuel Alvarado is pretty sure of that.
"They can take us a long way if we get them the run support we need," said the coach for the Warriors.
West opened the VISD tournament with a 12-strikeout, complete-game performance from senior Jordan Pacheco on Thursday, only to have it go for naught because they mustered just three hits and no runs to lose to Corpus Christi Flour Bluff.
Friday night's starter Miles Manning wouldn't have that problem.
The first three batters of the game for Victoria West reached base and scored, helping them to a 4-1 victory Friday night over Beaumont behind a strong performance from Manning.
The Warriors early runs helped allay some of the pressures for Manning of having to stay perfect every inning, Alvarado said. Unlike the previous night, there was a margin for error when the Warriors were in the field, having notched three runs in the first.
"It's a confidence builder, last night we didn't have very much offense," Alvarado said. "To see us bounce back today, it's a good feeling."
They did it the painful way, too. Leadoff batter Robbie Trenck and Zach Valenzuela were hit by pitches to open the game. Trenck would score on a single by Pacheco; Valenzuela scored on a passed ball to Jordan Flores. Pacheco would come in when Flores reached base on an error.
The early runs helped Manning settle down.
"I didn't feel like I had to shut them out every inning," he said.
Not that he needed much support. The junior pitcher allowed a total of two runs and just five base runners, opening the game by striking out eight of the first 11 batters he faced en route to 11 total over seven innings. He allowed only one runner to reach third.
"I had control of all of my pitches, I could put them where I wanted to," Manning said. "My curveball and fastball were working good. I threw a few changeups and sliders too."
Alvarado said he figures pitching will carry the Warriors far this season. Their one-two punch of Pacheco and Manning figure to be key to any kind of district or postseason success West has this season.
"I'm glad to see them doing what they are doing this year," Alvarado said. "We just need to support them with runs so that they can feel comfortable on the mound."
EAST DROPS TWO ON FRIDAY
Despite home runs in the second game from Ryan Stuart and Mason Tipton, Victoria East struggled Friday afternoon to two close losses, the first to Fort Bend Bush 8-6; the second to Flour Bluff 9-8.
In the second game, the Titans were spotted a three-run lead in the bottom of the first after Stuart drove in two with a double. He finished the game 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
But the Titans struggled to keep the Hornets off the board, and their fielding did them no favors. Three errors helped Flour Bluff to two runs, and prolonged the second inning for another batter.
East starter Taylin Sledge pitched six innings, but struggled to get catcher Will Mendiola out. He drove in crucial runs off of Sledge in the second and third inning to help the Hornets catch and pass the Titans early on. Overall, he finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, three stolen bases and three RBIs.
The Titans play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against St. Joseph.
ST. JOSEPH LETS 3-RUN LEAD SLIP AWAY TO FORT BEND BUSH
Despite holding a three-run lead early, the Flyers couldn't hold on to drop their second straight game, losing Friday at Lowe Field to Fort Bend Bush 9-7. St. Joseph plays at Riverside Stadium at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday against Rockport-Fulton, and again at 7:30 p.m. against Victoria East.
Victoria West 4, Beaumont 1
Beaumont 000 000 0 - 0 2 1
West 301 000 x - 4 5 0
Mike Norris. Miles Manning and Zach Valenzuela. WP - Manning, LP - Norris. Highlights: Manning CG, 11 Ks; Robbie Trenck 1-2, BB, R; Valenzuela 2-2, 2 R, BB; Jordan Flores 2 RBIs.
Flour Bluff 9, Victoria East 8
CCFB 023 022 0 - 9 9 4
East 301 012 0 1 - 8 10 3
Lucas Humpal, Kolton Mims (4), Josh Gonzales (7) and Will Mendiola. Taylin Sledge, Gabe (7) and Mason Tipton. WP - Mims, LP - Sledge, S - Gonzales. Highlights: Mason Tipton 1-3, HR; Ryan Stuart 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBIs.
Fort Bend Bush 8, Victoria East 6
Fort Bend Bush 9, St. Joseph 7
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