ROCKWALL, TX - What started out as a pitcher’s duel on Tuesday night, ended up being a one sided victor for Heath HS. Pitching dominated the first four innings of this game, with 2019 Brandon Troxler tallying five strikeouts through the first four innings for Rockwall, and 2020 Clay Finnegan scattering 5 hits and 2 walks for Heath.

In the top of the fifth, Heath sophomore Zach Rike broke up Troxler’s No-Hit Bid with a single, and 2022 Jett Williams broke the 0-0 tie game with a single thru the left side with the bases loaded. The very next batter hit into what looked like an inning-ending double play, but a controversial safe call on the slide at second led to another run for the Hawks. Heath up 2-0.
 

In the 6th, the Hawks put up four more runs, thanks to two 2R HR’s from sophomores Kevin Bazzell and Zach Rike. Their offense continued to roll by adding a 3 spot in the seventh. Final Score: Heath 9, Rockwall 0.

With the win, Heath moves to 18-7 Overall, and Rockwall falls to 15-6-2 Overall. Both these teams are now tied at 4-1 in district with a decisive game two on Friday at Heath.

More on Heath: The Hawks have a young, talented club that started only two seniors last night (CF Ladusau & RF Anderson) along with junior LF Dakota Britt. On the infield, they started two freshman, two sophomores and only one junior. From left to right, 2022 3B Josh Hoover, 2021 SS Karson Krowka, 2022 2B Jett Williams, 2020 1B Sam Crowell, 2021 C Kevin Bazzell. From the looks of it, they are going to be good over the next couple of years.

STATS

Heath
Finnegan: W, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 K, 2 BB.
Ladusau: 2-4
Bazzell: 2-4, 2 RBI, HR
Crowell: 2-3, RBI
Rike: 2-3, 3 RBI, HR
Williams: 1-3

Rockwall
Wimpee: 1-3
Troxler: 1-2, L, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 7 K, 2 BB.
Rose: 1-2
Randle: 1-3
Tellia: 1-2

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Quick Notes:

2019 Brandon Troxler (Wichita State) was extremely effecitive through the first four innings last night, tallying 5 punchouts, working 83-85, with a 75-78 mph slider that varied between 10/4 shape and 11/5 sharp downer bite. 

2020 RHP Clay Finnegan works from a low-3/4 slot arm side run on his fastball at 80-82. Scattered 5 hits and 2 walks through 5 1/3 innings, his slurve got better as the game went on and he did a nice job of battling his way out of several jams. 

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