When it comes to learning how to win the close games, the Harvesters (13-8-1, 6-4) are putting on a clinic this season. Now 5-1 in one-run games, the Pampa Harvesters finished a season sweep of the Perryton Rangers on Friday with a 5-4 win last Friday.
“It was huge for our kids and our program and takes us one step closer to making the playoffs,” Head Coach Austin Samulowitz said. Heading into last week, we knew we had to beat Hereford and we had to beat Perryton. Being able to beat those two teams, especially being able to beat Perryton twice, was huge. It’s a statement to our kids because Perryton beat us twice last year. To get them back this year and sweep them was huge for our kids and our confidence.”
Perryton took the early 1-0 lead until, in the bottom of the second inning, with bases loaded, junior Max Neff grounded into a fielder’s choice, allowing junior Boston Botello to come 90 feet and score the game. Junior Jarren Hill then brought home junior Conner Hall on the next at bat with a hard ball up the third baseline to give Pampa the 2-1 lead.
The Rangers responded with a run in the following inning to tie the game back up. In the bottom of the third inning, a two-out rally sparked by knocks from Botello and Hall set the stage for an RBI single from senior Noah Anguiano to give Pampa the 3-2 lead. The Harvesters were the beneficiaries of a balk in the fourth inning, bringing home Neff and extending their lead to 4-2.
A similar event would happen in the bottom of the 6th, scoring senior Isaiah Estrada.
“I told our guys after the game that I felt we handled the pressure better than they did,” Samulowitz said. “When things got tight and pressure was on, their guy balked twice, and our guys got it done. We were able to get the win, and those were two big plays. They ultimately were the difference maker.”
In 11 games this year, junior Conner Hall has been hitting .263 with three RBI and a stolen base.
“Conner Hall came to us late because of basketball season, but once we got him plugged in and he started going, he has been nothing but positive,” Samulowitz said. “He’s been a great teammate. He’s always positive, laughing, and having fun. He’s putting the ball in play. He’s kind of our Swiss Army Knife. He plays infield and outfield, and he also DHs sometimes. He’s a kid every coach wants on his team.”
The Harvesters returned to action on Tuesday at Randall as they continue to chase a playoff spot.
“They are a solid baseball team, as always,” Samulowitz said. “But we play the game for a reason. If we play clean, who knows what can happen? But we’re excited to go over there. I told our seniors, ‘If you want a playoff push, you’ve got to be the ones to take us there’.”
Official Stats
Junior Max Neff went 1-3 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a walk; Junior Jarren Hill went 2-4 with an RBI; Junior Boston Botello went 2-3 with an RBI and stolen base; Junior Conner Hall went 2-3 with a run scored, a stolen base and an RBI; Senior Noah Anguiano went 1-2 with an RBI and a walk; Senior Isaiah Estrada went 1-3 with a run scored.
Senior Brooks Barton pitched five innings with six hits, three runs, two earned runs, 10 strikeouts and three walks; Senior Isaiah Estrada pitched two inning with two hits, one run scored, one earned run and three strikeouts.
