Sweeny wins pitchers duel 1-0
Wharton still in District 24-3A playoff race
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Photo contributed by Terrell Jessen Wharton's Lucas Munoz makes a throw from his infield position during a recent District 24-3A game against Columbia. The Tigers run-ruled the Roughnecks 11-1.

Sweeny won Tuesday's pitchers duel over Wharton in a 1-0 decision at Tiger Field.

The Bulldogs manufactured a run in the bottom of the seventh.

Aaron Rollins led off with an infield single. Marsh Zajicek popped out on a foul behind the plate. Rollins went to second on a ground ball by Kenneth Setzer and scored on a line drive single to center by Ryan Nallie.

In the bottom of the inning, with the wind blowing in, a deep fly ball to center was caught by Setzer to start the inning.

Chris Acuna then drove a fly ball deep to left field caught by Jake Berry.

The game ended when Nallie made a great catch in foul territory in right field off the bat of Brian Cervenka.

Wharton pitcher Taylor Ustynik gave up four hits, striking out seven. Sweeny hurler Aaron Rollins pitched a two-hitter and struck out four.

"I'm still proud of the kids and they played hard," said Wharton coach Floyd Ciruti.

The win left Sweeny, heading into Friday's game against Columbia, with a 7-1 District 24-3 record.

The seventh place Roughnecks dropped a 13-0 decision to Needville who improved to 7-1. The Jays played 3-6 Stafford last night.

Wharton was 4-5 before playing 6-3 Columbus.

Both teams squandered scoring opportunities earlier in the game.

"We just didn't get the timely hits," said Ciruti

Wharton's Ben Williams led off the bottom of the first with an infield hit but was stranded at second.

In the bottom of the second, Acuna, Cervenka and Ustynik hit deep fly balls that caught in the wind.

Sweeny didn't get its first base runner until the third when Eddie Wright reached on a two-out error. Wharton's David Horta reached on a one -out error in the bottom of the inning and made it to second.

Setzer singled with two outs in the top of the fifth but Nallie grounded out. Lucas Munoz singled with two outs in the bottom of the inning but Horta grounded out.

Sweeny threatened again in the sixth. With two gone, Match Ferell walked and went to third on a hit and run single by Riley Hornback, who made it to second. Colton Cook grounded out to end the inning.

The Tigers were retired in order in the bottom half, setting up the seventh.

Coming up Tuesday, Wharton plays at Needville. Columbus hosts Sweeny, Sealy entertains Stafford and Columbia plays Royal in Brookshire.

24-3A Standings

Teams
Sweeny	(13-5)	8	1	.888
Needville	(16-1)	8	1	888
Columbus (14-6)		6	3	.625
Sealy	(9-8)	5	4	.555
Wharton	(8-12)	4	5	.444
Stafford	(7-14)	3	6	.333
Columbia	(4-16)	2	7	.222
Royal	(0-12)	0	9	.000

Tuesday's Results
Sweeny 1, Wharton 0
Needville 13, Columbia 0.
Columbus 7, Stafford 4
Sealy 17, Royal 0
Friday's Results
Columbus at Wharton, late.
Royal at Sweeny, late.
Needville at Stafford, late.
Sealy at Columbia, late.
April 15 Games
Wharton at Needville, 7:30 p.m.
Sweeny at Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
Stafford at Sealy, 7:30 p.m.
Columbia at Royal,7:30 p.m.