Mustangs roll, then hang on for victory

March 08, 2013, 10:00 pm by Mark Goodson

By Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor

Marble Falls’ pitchers Cole Ridgely and Stacy Heinatz combined to strike out 14 Friday night in a 4-2 non-district win over rival Burnet at Burnet.

The win was Marble Falls first in varsity baseball over Burnet in at least four years, said Heinatz who came on in relief to face five batters in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Marble Falls had a 4-0 lead when Ridgely was lifted for Heinatz, the team’s hard-throwing shortstop and No 3 hitter in the lineup.

Heinatz inherited a one-out, two runners on situation. He came in throwing hard and yielded an infield hit and double to wake up Burnet.

The Bulldogs pulled to within two runs with the tying runs on base and one out.

But Heinatz struck out Joshua Thompson and Blaine Shilling to end the game. The final out came after Marble Falls intentionally walked Zac Evans to load the bases.

What about the pressure?

"It made you want to throw up,’’ Heinatz said. "It gave me a lot of confidence to come in there after the way Cole pitched. If he could do it, I could, too.’’

Ridgely had his best game on the mound with a solid fastball with a lot of pop.

Ridgely gave up just three hits and was in a grove midway through the outing when he struck out seven straight, starting with the last out of the third inning.

Marble Falls bats were solid, too.

Domenic Patterson started the scoring with a solo blast with one out in the in the fourth for the game’s first run on a cool Central Texas evening. It was Patterson’s second home of the season, both coming in road games.

In the fifth inning, the Mustangs pushed the lead to 3-0 on key hits from No. 9 hitter Jimmy Damico to score Cody Goodman, who had reached on an infield single; and a two-out double from Heinatz to drive in Carson Bowen, who had reached on an error. Heinatz clutch hit to right center came on a 3-2 pitch.

Marble Falls added an unearned run in the seventh inning when Burnet’s first baseman failed to scoop a relay and the Mustangs took advantage of three walks.

Marble Falls (8-2) will open District 25-4A play Tuesday on the road at Cedar Park.

The play the Timberwolves in a 7 p.m. start Wednesday at Marble Falls and then return to Cedar Park Thursday for the third game of the district series.

Burnet fell to 8-5 on the season.

For complete coverage, please read Tuesday's Highlander