SMHS BASEBALL
In a tight defensive battle typical of their district showdowns against each other, the Rattlers added another district win to their record as San Marcos defeated the Cibolo Steele Knights 3-2.
The win improves San Marcos’ record to 15-91 and 5-3 in district play while Steele falls to 9-112 overall and 4-2 in district play.
“We have the best pitching staff in the whole district,” senior starting pitcher Cole Wiatrek said. We just go out there and we attack hitters. That’s what we do and what we’re best at. We just go right at them. Nothing special and that philosophy works 9 times out of 10.”
Head Coach Bryan Webb was proud of his team for not only holding off Steele in the top of the seventh but also continuing to play at a high level.
“Our kids grew up a little bit,” Webb said. “They didn’t take offense to defense, or defense to offense, and we’re starting to mature like we should have been earlier in the year. Each team is different, but I’m proud of these guys. They hit when it mattered and it was a big time in the sixth to get those 2 runs in right there. The lead off walk, and then Landon [Munoz] drives one in. It’s good to see our guys starting to play like they should be playing.”
The Rattlers struck first as Jack Vasquez scored from first with two outs as the Knights were unable to make the catch on a shallow outfield flyball in the bottom of the first.
Steele got their first hit of the game in the fifth inning before putting runners on first and second with no outs.
However, for the Steele bunt attempt, first baseman Jack Vasquez made the running catch for the out before making the throw back to first to Charlie Helgeson to catch the runner failing to tag up for the double play.
“I feel like we just have the best defense in Texas,” senior closer Caleb Gomez said. Just let them hit ground balls. That’s all I’m trying to do and keep it simple.”
The Rattlers ended the Steele at-bat as Landon Munoz made the catch on the flyout in right field.
In the bottom of the sixth, Munoz added an insurance run with a oneout triple to score Vasquez at second, making it a 2-0 game.
Following a hit-by-pitch by Colson Geesee to put runners on the corners, the Rattlers added another run on a wild pitch as Munoz scored from third and pinch runner Miguel Garcia advanced to second before Steele got out of the inning.
Steele loaded up the bases in the top of the seventh before scoring on an RBI single.
The Knights added another run on an RBI groundout as Steele put runners in second and third with two outs.
Despite Steele having the game-tying and winning runs on base, Gomez didn’t panic in trying to close the game out.
“I just slowed the game down and went back to the basics,” Gomez said. “Not trying to overdo anything and yeah it worked out.”
The Rattlers converted the final out from the putout by Andrew Wilson to seal the win.
Wiatrek earned the win on the mound, throwing five innings, allowing just one hit, no earned runs, one walk and striking out seven batters.
Gomez earned the save, allowing four hits, two earned runs and striking out two batters.
Munoz powered the offense, going 2-3 from the plate with one RBI.
San Marcos returns to play Thursday for the second game of the twogame series as the Rattlers travel to Steele.
First pitch is 7 p.m. Thursday at Steele.
