Rattlers dehorn Unicorns to maintain district lead

San Marcos held off a furious New Braunfels comeback as the Rattlers defeated the Unicorns 8-7.

It was an intense game for head coach Bryan Webb considering the district title lead was on the line, as well as it being a big rivalry showdown between San Marcos and New Braunfels.

“They (New Braunfels) came out swinging and throwing haymakers at us,” Webb said. “We had to handle some adversity early and weather the storm early. They put together five hits in a row and went up 2-0 in the first inning and nearly broke it open in the second inning.”

Despite trailing 2-0 after the first inning, the Rattler offense took their time and attacked the Unicorn defense with their small game.

“We were patient and struck where we usually do in the third, fourth inning,” Webb said. “We took our opportunities when we had a chance. We used our bunt and run game and capitalized on their mistakes.”

The first inning was a chaotic start to the game as starting pitcher Gavin Gomez was thrown out of the ballgame arguing balls and strikes during his at-bat.

Despite the wild start, Webb and his coaching staff said they are always prepared for moments like these.

“We know exactly who is going in, what we are going to do and how we are going to do it,” Webb said. “Obviously we were not expecting that but we know how many pitches everyone is going to throw and where everyone is going. We practiced it the day before so we knew Tito was coming in for relief and that we were going to use three pitchers. We play to win the game and not focus on the next game. We will worry about Thursday when Thursday comes.”

Coming in for relief in the second inning, pitcher Tito Santos was looking to stay in the strike zone and lean on what his coaches taught him.

“It was very exciting to say the least,” Santos said. “I had to just concentrate on throwing strikes and focus on my old throwing mechanics. It was a difficult situation but you have to go back to the basics.”

Being a four-year starter, Webb had the uttermost trust in his pitcher.

“He’s done this before,” Webb said. “He is the first person who comes in for relief and is the closer … He knows what his role is, but the thing that was interesting was he got to hit for us. He is a fouryear starter so in situations like these, you play your seniors and your most experienced guys.”

Heading into the fourth inning trailing 2-1, the Rattlers took advantage of a New Braunfels error and a walk to put runners at first and second.

After a sac bunt that advanced the runners up a base, third baseman Dylan Nunez was able to lay down another sac bunt to score the runner from third, to tie the game at 2-2.

Catcher Sunray Estrada forced a walk to bring up Santos.

Facing two outs, Santos hit a RBI double towards left field to give the Rattlers their first lead of the game at 3-2.

“I swung at a ball in the dirt on the first pitch,” Santos said. “Luckily Coach Webb got my batting mechanics right yesterday so on the second pitch I saw it was down the middle and I just swung at it.”

Following a RBI single by second baseman Dallas Calderon, shortstop Kutter Gage Webb slammed a RBI triple to clear the bases and extend the lead to 6-2.

The Rattlers extended their lead to 8-3 in the fifth inning before a fourrun inning by the Unicorns made an 8-7 game.

Heading into the seventh, the Rattlers made up for an error by picking off the base runner at first for the out.

After a one-out single, pitcher Reagan Chomel delivered the final two strikeouts as the Rattlers closed out the game at 8-7.

San Marcos returns to play this Thursday in their second matchup with New Braunfels.

First pitch is at 7 p.m. at New Braunfels High School.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter@ColtomBMc