Ricebirds rally late, fall to Blackcats 7-6

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley Sling Shot Andrew Kinder makes a throw to first base for the Ricebirds. Kinder hit a home run in Tuesday's game against Bay City.

The Ricebirds fell to Bay City Tuesday in a strong effort that just came too late.

Down 7-0 through the middle of the fifth inning, El Campo's baseball team staged a great comeback attempt. The 'Birds cut Bay City's lead drastically and almost forced extra innings when the final out of the seventh inning left the score at 7-6 with the Blackcats claiming the win.

Bay City broke open the game with five runs in the top of the first inning.

Walks, singles and one batter being hit by a wild pitch contributed to the Blackcats' scoring run.

El Campo Head Coach Kerry Brandl said an early five-run deficit is not something a team can easily overcome.

"We're not going to play home run derby with anybody and win," Brandl said. "It takes us out of our sacrifice bunting and running the bases and hit-and-run and all the stuff that we like to do. When you're down five, you've got to have more than one run an inning to get yourself back in it."

The Ricebirds had trouble hitting their stride offensively. El Campo could not score a run until the fifth inning, but before then, the Ricebirds had plenty of chances.

Landon Appling led off the second inning by taking second base on an error. He moved over to third on a passed ball, but never came home. The next three batters all struck out.

Once again in the fourth inning, Appling led off with a solid hit. A well-placed ball to left field put him on second base and he claimed third again on a passed ball. That was as far as he moved. The next three batters all earned outs.

The offensive woes were frustrating to Brandl.

"I know for a fact, two innings we had a lead-off runner at second with no outs and he didn't score," the coach said. "I know in one inning, we struck out three times and the next time, we struck out twice and we hit a ground ball to the shortstop. If you don't put the pressure on people when you've got a chance to score some runs, then we're going to come up short like we did tonight."

The top of the fifth inning meant more runs for the Blackcats. Bay City earned two to extend the lead to 7-0.

Finally by the bottom of the fifth, the Ricebirds made a mark on the scoreboard.

Holden Whitley led off the inning with a walk. An out later and Blake Korenek hit a single to put two runners on base. Whitley eventually came in for El Campo's first score of the game.

Bryan Skow connected for a single to right-center field and Matthew Hamman followed him with a walk.

Appling connected for a deep fly ball to left field. The hit gave Korenek just enough time to tag up on third base and run home for the score.

With a little momentum going and two outs, the inning ended in the next at-bat. It was a ground ball to the shortstop. The 'Birds were down 7-2 at the end of the inning.

The Ricebirds' bats caught fire in the bottom of the seventh to almost force extra innings.

Tyler Socha hit a lead-off double to start the inning. Korenek tried to move Socha to third, but hit a straight shot to the pitcher and was out at first base.

Skow connected for a single to score Socha and cut the lead to 7-3.

Hamman followed with a walk, but was called out on the next play. Appling hit a ground ball to the shortstop, who made the toss to second base to catch Hamman out on a fielder's choice.

With runners on first and second bases, Andrew Kinder came up to bat and came through with a big hit.

El Campo's shortstop connected for a home run over the left-center field fence and three RBIs. Kinder's hit cleared the bases and cut Bay City's lead to 7-6.

Matt Janke drew a walk to take first base and moved over to second in the next at-bat. Michael Van Gorp claimed first on a Bay City fielding error. He sent a shot to the Blackcats' shortstop, who made a mistake on the play.

With runners on first and second bases and two outs, the Ricebirds had a chance to tie the game on a base hit. The final at-bat, however, ended in a strikeout with the batter still looking and no swing.

The loss dropped El Campo to 1-1 in district play. The Ricebirds traveled to Foster Friday and will host Seven Lakes Tuesday at 7 p.m. After playing the Spartans, the next home game for the 'Birds will come March 25 against Terry.