Beeville, Tx- The Panola College Ponies rode into town on Friday, February 8th for a 3 game weekend series in Beeville as the weather had a change of plans from the scheduled series in Carthage. The Cougars and Ponies squared off at 3:00 PM in a chilly afternoon ball game. CBC gave Starting Pitcher, Marco Becerril the green light to get the series started.
Becerril and the Cougars worked quickly in the Top of the first inning, retring the Panola bats in order. The Cougars would jump out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning following 3 infield errors from the visitors. In the next three innings, Panola would rack up eight runs while they kept CBC scoreless. CBC would have their chances at the plate, but could not seem to get anything going. The Ponies added another two runs to increase their lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning, CBC would lose the game by a final score of 11-3.
Starting Pitcher Becerill pitched four innings for CBC allowing two hits, two walks and three earned runs. Left handed pitcher, Devin Aguado entered the game to releive Becerril. CBC went with another Lefty, as Will Lennon saw the mound for the Cougars. Lennon pitched one inning, pitching cleanly in his performance. Arnaldo Garica pitched two and a third of an inning surrendering two hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. Left Handed Pitcher, Josh Mendez entered the game for last out in the Top of the seventh inning, allowing one hit before striking out a Panola batter.
The Cougars only had four hits as a team, while Third baseman, Bo Gonzales recorded two RBI's off the Panola Errors. Catcher, Cooper Coe also recorded an RBI of an Error.
In the second game of the series, the first game of Saturday's Double Header, CBC gave Right Handed Pitcher, Cody Vega the nod to start. Vega pitched six and two thirds of an inning for the Cougars, scattering seven hits, allowing two runs and a walk while striking out four Ponies.
The Cougars scored first as Kody Kolb led off with a Triple down the right field line, before scoring on JB Trees groundout. Ronnie Bailey reaches on a walk and scores on a Bo Gonzales Double to right center field for an RBI. The Cougars broke it open in their next at bat when Kyle McMahan reached first off an error, which he then moved to third on Kody Kolb extra base hit, his second of the day, before crossing Home plate on Kyle McShaffry's Double, Error from Panola.
Sholders came on in relief of Vega in the seventh with Ponies on Third and First to get back to back outs to end the threat and the ball game. The Cougar would win by a final of 6-3.
Second baseman, JB finished the game going one for four at the dish, but recorded two RBI's and scored a run. Designated Hitter, Bo Gonzales went two for three, knocking in two RBI's. Centerfielder, Kody Kolb also had two hits on the day to go with an RBI. CBC First baseman, Kyle McShaffry collected an RBI off his Double
For the rubber match, Coastal Bend decided to go with Right Handed Pitcher, Luis Martinez on the hill. Martinez pitched two and two thirds of an inning. Panola would score first, three runs in the Top of the second inning. The Cougars would answer back, scoring two runs of their own. In the Top of the third inning, the Ponies would add another run to their lead. Coastal Bend would match the Ponies run in the bottom of the inning to keep it a one run ball game.
After Martinez' outing, CBC pitched by commitee going with Ricky Garcia for an inning and Will Lennon for another inning. Sterling Craig entered the game an pitched three and a third of an inning for the Cougars. Craig allowed only two hits, one walk and no earned runs while striking out two batters.
Later in the game, during the sixth inning Panola expanded their lead to go up, 7-3 on CBC. The Cougars stayed within striking distance to tie the ball, but could not produce anymore runs.
Coastal Bend lost the game and series by a final score of 7-3 to Panola College.
CBC First baseman, Kyle McShaffry went one for three at the plate, recording an RBI. Right Fielder, Kyler Bumstead also recorded a RBI during the ball game. Second baseman, Kyle McMahan went one for one, collecting an RBI during his appearance in the batter's box.
Coastal Bend is scheduled to host a Double Header vs Blinn College on Tuesday, February 12 at Joe Hunter Field. First Pitch is at 2:00 PM.