By Cade Haak
SHERMAN, Texas (July 5, 2024) – The Texarkana Rhinos jumped out to an early lead but could not hold on as the Shadowcats scored sixteen runs in the middle three innings to find the win column.
Texarkana took the lead in the top of the second as they scored three runs to develop their early lead. The first two runs were scored when Ian Guanzon reached first safely on a fielder’s choice, and a wild throw from the shortstop allowed him to advance to second while also allowing Mason Sellers and Sebastian Huerta to score. Guanzon then scored on a double from Gabriel Natividad that made its way safely into left field.
One inning later, the Rhinos tacked two more runs onto their lead to build it all the way up to five. Alex DeLeon started the inning with a walk, then was moved to third base on a single into right field. Sebastian Huerta followed this up with a single into left field that caused enough trouble for the Shadowcats to score both Rhinos runners.
Innings four, five, and six were action-packed, as all of Sherman’s sixteen runs came during this three-inning window. Their comeback began in the bottom of the fourth, as they scored three runs to cut the Rhinos lead down to two. Then Texarkana pushed the lead back to five as they scored two runs due to wild pitches and a third when Ian Guanzon hit a high sacrifice fly into right field. This reestablished lead did not last long for the Rhinos, as the Shadowcats took over in the home half of the fifth as they scored seven runs to take the lead. The highlight of the inning for Sherman was a three-run double off the bat of Easton Ford.
The Shadowcats then used the bottom of the sixth inning to extend their lead and scored six more runs due to three errors in the field by the Rhinos. In the eighth inning, Texarkana scored two runs off a two-run home run from Jackson Glymph.
Solomon James took the loss for Texarkana as he allowed 10 runs over 4.2 innings pitched. For the Shadowcats, Jonathan Brzezicki walked away with a win despite allowing eight runs in just five innings pitched.
