Tomball Memorial Forces Game 3 With Walk-Off Win

TOMBALL, TX - Friday night at Tomball Memorial HS was an elimination game for the Wildcats, as their cross town rival Tomball won the first game on Thursday 4-2. In front of a packed house, Memorial came from behind twice, forcing extra innings, and winning on a walk-off fielder’s choice to force a game three rubber match at noon on Saturday.

Memorial’s starting pitcher, 2018 RHP Justin Ruble, a Texas A&M commit went seven innings, earning the no decision, but keeping his team in the game. Center fielder Trenton Chinn and catcher Cameron Hunter each had two RBI, including Hunter who had the walk-off ground ball in the bottom of the eighth.

Tomball was led offensively by Scott Herrmann, Chance Miller, and Cody Ryan,who each had two hits, and Denver Thompson who had two RBI.

The Cougars used six different pitchers in the game, including RHP Eric Oakes, who only threw three pitches and is the likely game three starter today.

Tomball Memorial’s LHP Tim Williamson worked a scoreless top of the eighth. After he hit the leadoff guy and walked the next batter to start the inning, Williamson struck out the side.

In the bottom half of the inning, right fielder Jordan Grice led off with a double down the left field line. After a walk, a botched sacrifice bunt attempt and a wild pitch, Memorial had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. The Cougars decided to intentionally walk 2018 SS Dru Baker, setting up a double play opportunity. The next batter, Cameron Hunter, grounded to shortstop, and the Cougs got the lead runner at second. The slide at second appeared to be clean but disrupted the throw to first allowing Hunter to reach base safely and the possible winning run to score.

With the crowd erupting on both sides, and both teams on the cusp of celebrating either a win, or an inning-ending double play, the umpire crew met for a brief conference to discuss the play. They ruled it a clean play, and the Tomball Memorial Wildcats won 5-4.

These two teams will meet again today to decide the series. The game will be played at Klein Oak, first pitch is slated for noon.

STATS

Tomball Memorial
Ruble: 7 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 6 K
Williamson: (W) 1 IP, 3 K, BB, HBP, 0 R
Hunter: 0-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Chinn: 1-2, 2 RBI, 3B
Grice: 2-4, 2B, R
Baker: 1-3, 3B, 3 R