5A Semifinal: Prosper 6 Tomball 2

‘Opportunity’ is about the only way to describe Semifinal #1 at Dell Diamond.  The final score was a direct reflection of which team capitalized on its opportunities in what became a pitcher’s duel through five and a half.  Through six full innings, Tomball had 6 hits, a run and stranded 8 (10 for the game). Those 8 would prove costly for the Cougars as Prosper took multiple advantages with runners in scoring position in their half of the 6th, scoring 5 on 5 hits, including a moster homerun by Matthew Gonzalez that scored 3 and put the Eagles up for good.

Tomball looked to have some serious momentum in the top of the first, scoring a run on a Shane Daughety double, but Prosper’s Anthony Bernardez was able to get out of the inning, stranding Cougar base runners and 2nd and 3rd.  Prosper, an offensive powerhouse to this point in the playoffs, was held in check.  The Eagles would only record 2 hits through the first 5 innings, both doubles off of the bat of center fielder, Steele Walker.  Walker’s 2nd double came in the 4th and would lead to their first run after an E4 allowed Walker to score.

Prosper’s Bernardez was effective  in a bend, but don’t break sort of way, giving up 9 hits and 3 walks in a complete game effort.  To Bernardez’s credit, he never allowed Tomball to string a bunch of base hits together and looked to pitch to contact when the threat was low.

The Eagles will go on to face the winner of Aledo (24-13) and Georgetown (26-12) which plays tonight at 7pm at Dell Diamond

Outstanding Hitting Performances
Steele Walker, Prosper: 3-3 (2 2b, 1b, 2R)
Shane Daughety, Tomball: 2-3 (2 2b)
Matt Kischke, Tomball: 2-3 (2 1b)
Joe Breaux, Tomball: 2-4 (2b, 1b, R)
Matthew Gonzalez, Prosper: 1-3 (HR, 3RBI)

Pitching Lines
Anthony Bernardez, Prosper: 95 pitches, 9 hits, 3BB, 2R, 2ER
Shane Daughety, Tomball: 86 pitches, 6 hits, BB, 6R, 5ER
Matt Wells, Tomball: 14 pitches, 1 hit, HBP