MHS beats Pecos in thriller to keep playoff hopes alive

Back in the day, the Pecos-Monahans football rivalry was the event of the year.  In a more modern era, if a fan wants to see some drama, they should attend a baseball game between the two schools.

It came as no surprise in Tuesday's game that the critical contest was exciting from the first pitch.  The Loboes took and early lead only to see Pecos battle back until late inning heroics gave the Green the  6-5 win.

Monahans got on the board in the bottom of the first when starting pitcher Houston Stockman was hit by the pitcher directly on his pitching arm.  A worried Lobo coaching staff sent in runner Mike Gonzales, and Dimas Porras promptly drove him in with a double.

The Loboes helped Stockman out with runs in the next three innings, but the Eagles would not go away, battling back for a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth.  The Green came back in the bottom of the sixth with a T.J. Brooks base hit and a Lance Porter sacrifice to move Brooks over.  Kevin Kenyon's speed became a facto when he hit a grounder to the PHS shortstop.  Hurrying to beat Kenyon caused an overthrow that allowed a hustling Brooks in with the tying run.

Porras came up big in the bottom of the seventh when he hit a blooper down the third base line just over the third baseman's glove and on the foul line.  Porras made it into third, forcing Pecos to walk Jesus Pedroza in hopes of double play.  It turned out to be a mistake when Monahans' Scotty Najar hit a walk-off liner to the outfield to score porras.

Stockman got the complete game win, and ended the night with six hits allowed and only two walks.

The Loboes (3-4) kept their hopes alive, but it does not get much easier.  Presidio and Pecos are tied at the top at 6-1 and Greenwood is alone a 5-2, with Presidio,  Pecos and Monahans remaining on the Rangers' schedule.  Monahans goes to Kermit and Fort Stockton before Greenwood comes to town.

"We played like this early," said Coach Arcadio Rivera, "and then we did not seem to show the same level of play in district.  If we play like we did against Presidio and Pecos the last two game, we could have a chance to do something.  We could control our own destiny."

Typed By:  Casey Novian