Mustangs survive on two hits

February 22, 2013, 10:10 am by Mark Goodson

By Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor 

Marble Falls had just two hits Thursday in their opening round game against Hutto in the Marble Falls Tournament. The Mustangs still won, 6-5.

The Mustangs (2-0) survived despite losing their edge in the five-inning game that extended past the two-hour limit for a tournament game.

The fifth inning was ugly.

Starting pitcher Cole Ridgely was cruising with 11 strikeouts when the wheels came off for the Mustangs in the top half of the fifth inning.

Hutto rallied to score five runs with two outs on four hits, chasing the hard-throwing Ridgely in the process.

Marble Falls managed to get out of the inning, but had yielded the lead they had held throughout.

Trailing 5-3, the Mustangs scored three runs off Hutto lefty Chase Billington in the bottom of the frame. Billington couldn’t find the strike zone, walking four and hitting another batter. Marble Falls scored the game winner on a squeeze play with the bases loaded.

For complete coverage of the weekend tournament, please read Tuesday’s Highlander.