San Marcos holds off Austin High for 3-2 victory at home

One run can be the difference in San Marcos’ playoff hopes. 

Last year, San Marcos remembered the feeling after the last game of the season against Austin Akins that they would not partake in the 2021 playoffs. After a 5-0 win, it’s usually smiles and joy, but for the purple and white, it was frowns and tears. In that season, the Rattlers had three games decided by one run. In all three, they lost.

This season they have already played three games which have been decided by the same margin — this time, they’ve won all three. Tuesday night’s matchup between San Marcos and Austin High was one of those one-run games and the hosting Rattlers pulled out a 3-2 win — their third consecutive district win by one run. 

.@SanMarcosHSBB head coach @BryanWebb4 talks his squad’s 3-2 win over Austin High at home. ⚾️

Part 1:@smdrsports pic.twitter.com/0tKGRKBsCs

— Jude McClaren (@judemcclaren) March 30, 2022

“I can remember the kids’ faces out here after the Akins game when we found out,” head coach Bryan Webb said. “Those one-run games that we let get away from us last year were the reason we weren’t in the playoffs. We’re finding a way to win those one-run games this year and we won three in a row so we’re getting better and better.”

Earlier this week in practice, Webb emphasized to his team how important hitting with runners in scoring position is, as they’ve struggled to put together runs in the last few games.

A couple of early walks by Austin High’s pitcher allowed San Marcos (11-11-1, 3-2 District 26-6A) to put runners on second and third base early in the first. The Rattlers’ opportunity to practice hitting with runners in scoring position presented itself early in the game. Sophomore shortstop and recent Texas State commit Kutter Gage Webb swung for the first RBI of the game and although it wasn’t a hit, it did the job. Immediately after, junior outfielder Ryan Hix copied his teammates’ RBI to bring in the second run of the night for San Marcos.

“We had about a two-hour practice yesterday working on that and in the first couple innings it went well,” Bryan Webb said. “That’s kind of been our niche. We get a couple runs in then depend on our defense. We gotta quit doing that and we left a couple out there and could’ve put this game away. We didn’t do it but we’re working on it and it’s getting better. We’re moving runners over so we’re gonna keep working on it, go back to work tomorrow, keep improving.”

Hix brought in his second RBI of the night with a hard hit past the third baseman’s diving glove in the bottom of the third. The Maroons returned the favor with one run in the next inning, making it 3-1. The scoring for San Marcos stalled for the rest of the game but strong performances on the mound from junior pitcher Tito Santos and sophomore pitcher Reagan Chomel kept the visitors’ offense at bay.

In the top of the sixth, sophomore pitcher Reagan Chomel was put in closing position with a runner on first. It took him a little to get going as Austin High (8-9, 2-3) loaded the bases after a walk. A passed ball rewarded the visitors with their second run of the night as they cut the lead to 3-2. Once that happened, Chomel turned the heat on by striking out the final batter of the inning and keeping San Marcos in the lead.

Just last week against Buda Hays, the sophomore earned a win with three straight strikeouts to secure a victory on the road. He did the same his time at home, striking out the final three batters to win the game — he’s been clutch. 

.@SanMarcosHSBB CF @RyanHix11 and RHP @reaganchomel35 talk their 3-2 win against Austin High. ⚾️

Part 1:@smdrsports pic.twitter.com/ueWdez34Bl

— Jude McClaren (@judemcclaren) March 30, 2022

“It’s just really fun to go out there and compete,” Chomel said. “When I went out there I was hyped up and kind of got a little too amped up right there. But once I was out there I found the groove and we got the dub.”

San Marcos and Austin high continue their two-game series on Friday at the Maroons’ home stadium. The first pitch is set for 7 p.m. With the win on Tuesday, the Rattlers have now won their last three against Austin High and their last three in district play.