Matt Baker pitched 9 innings of shut out baseball and knocked in the only run of the game in the top of the 10th to give the Rockwall Yellowjackets a huge 1-0 Game one win over a favored Oak Ridge team.
Baker gave up only 7 hits and 1 walk in the 9 innings he pitched. And when Oak Ridge did get baserunners, the Rockwall defense stepped up, turning 3 double plays in the game. Trey Ochoa pitched the bottom of the 10th and picked up the save allowing only a walk in the inning.
Rockwall had their chances in the game leaving 11 men on base, three times stranding a runner on 3rd base. But in the top of the 10th, Baker came through. Nick Colacecchi led off the inning with a single. Courtesy runner Collin Iannelli came in to run for him. Shayne Nance sacrificed Iannelli to 2nd with a bunt. After a strikeout, Baker came up with 2 outs and hit the first pitch into left field that dropped in for a base hit. Running on contact, Iannelli was able to score from 2nd giving Rockwall the 1-0 lead.
Oak Ridge had been one of the hottest teams in the state and nation. They came into the game with a record of 27-1 and a 20 game winning streak. They finished the regular season ranked #3 by THSB and this week were ranked #2 in the nation by Max Preps.
Game 2 of this best of 3 series is tonight at 7:30 PM at Baylor University.
Matt Baker
