Apaches Dominate Coastal Bend in 3-Game Sweep

Tyler, TX – The Apaches completed a weekend sweep of the Coastal Bend Cougars, winning all three games in dominating fashion.

Game 1 – Friday's doubleheader kicked off with a strong performance from the Apaches, who won the first game in just five innings, securing a 10-run victory. The team totaled 13 hits and committed no errors. Starting pitcher Colton Cross set the tone with a stellar 4-inning no-hitter, allowing only 4 walks and striking out 3. Reliever Chapman finished the game, facing 4 batters and striking out 3.

The Apaches wasted no time, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning with two home runs. Gabe Flores hit the first, bringing home Nico Ruedas, followed by Micah Roberts, who hit the second to drive in Finn Kaiyala. The Apaches quickly ended the inning with a double play.

In the third inning, Dalton Wilson doubled to bring Kaiyala home, and Wilson then stole home on a wild pitch.

Kaiyala added to the lead in the fourth with a 2-run homer, sending both himself and Flores across the plate.

The game ended in the bottom of the fifth when Ruedas singled, advancing Preston Newberry to second, Sammy Kelley to third, and bringing Landon Miller home. Flores then singled, allowing Kelley to score, giving the Apaches the 10-0 victory.

Game 2 – The second game of the day was a thrilling back-and-forth battle. The Cougars struck first in the opening inning, scoring an unearned run. The Apaches quickly answered in the second. Wilson flew out to right field to bring Newberry home, followed by a single from designated hitter Landry Stamps that scored Flores. Fuentes then singled, sending Lathan Van Ausdall home.

The Cougars responded in the second with a double that brought in a run, but the Apaches managed to end the inning without allowing further damage. In the third inning, Van Ausdall drew a walk to bring Newberry home. Fuentes flew out, advancing Stamps to second and Van Ausdall to third. An error allowed Wilson to score, putting the Apaches up 6-2.

The Cougars came back strong in the sixth, with back-to-back home runs and a couple of hit batters. A series of errors and misplays tied the game at 6-6. The Cougars then capitalized on an Apache error, scoring two more runs to take an 8-6 lead heading into the seventh inning.

In the seventh, Levi Risenhoov stepped up with a clutch 2-run homer, bringing the score to 8-7.

Pitcher Chris Langley came in to close the game, striking out 4 and walking 2 while giving up just 1 hit.

The Apaches kept the momentum in the eighth inning as Risenhoov hit another 3-run home run, scoring Grayson Lincecum and Van Ausdall to take the lead, 10-8. Sawyer Dunagan added a double, bringing Newberry home for an 11-8 advantage. Langley then sealed the game with a quick ninth inning, giving the Apaches a hard-fought 11-8 win.

With the victory, Head Coach Brett Doe earned his 100th career win, with Assistant Coach Eli Egger by his side.

Game 3 – The Apaches completed the sweep with an 8-0 victory in the final game of the series. The Apaches totaled 8 runs on 10 hits, while the Cougars managed only 1 hit and committed 3 errors.

The Apaches broke the scoreless tie in the second inning when a fielder's choice allowed Kaiyala to score. Kaiyala then added to the lead with a home run in the fourth inning. RBI singles by Anthony Martinez, Sammy Kelley, and Zack Zavala extended the Apaches' lead to 5-0.

Kaiyala wasn't done yet—he launched another home run in the fifth, driving in Flores for a 7-0 lead. In the seventh, Josiah Mackey singled, allowing Micah Roberts to score, giving the Apaches their final run.

Landon Fuller earned the win, pitching 4 innings with no hits, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout. Dane LeMaster and Trevor Breaux also contributed in relief, with LeMaster pitching 2 innings, allowing 1 hit, and Breaux closing out the game with 1 inning of work, allowing 1 walk and recording 1 strikeout.

Looking Ahead – The Apaches will look to carry their momentum into next weekend's games, as they face Salt Lake Community College at 11 a.m. and Iowa Western CC at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 7. The team will also play Weatherford College on Saturday, February 3, at 5 p.m. and Iowa Western at 2 p.m.