Sunday, April 28, 2024
SENIO STARTER: Tyler Sudderth went five and a third innings, allowing four runs on four hits and striking out nine.
BIG SHOT: Sophomore Braxton Heffernan zeroes in on a pitch in a game against Azle.
Sophomore Braxton Heffernan’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Granbury Pirates to a dramatic 5-4 victory over Richland in Brewer on Friday.
In the first inning, Matthew Walters got things rolling for the Pirates when he drove in Blake Bramlett with a double.
Richland (16-11) would have to wait for five innings before getting on the bases as GHS(17-9) starter Tyler Sudderth went five and a third innings, allowing four runs on four hits and striking out nine before giving way to Walters in relief.
Walter went the rest of the way, allowing zero runs on two hits, striking out seven and walking one.
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Pirates loaded the bases with a James Byrd double. Bramlett was hit by a pitch, a Garrett Jones’ sacrifice fly moved the runners, and Richland intentionally walked Heffernan to load the bases.
With Walters at the plate, a wild pitch created the opening for Bramlett to score and tie the game back up.
Richland would get two runners on the basepaths in the top of the ninth inning, but Walters ended it with three pitches to set the stage.
Heffernan had a called strike on the first pitch and fouled off the second before making solid contact and driving the ball over the right-field wall for the win.
Heffernan led the Pirates’ charge with three RBIs and Walter had two.
The two teams square off again on Saturday at Brewer High School with a 1 p.m. game. Game three, if needed, will be held 30 minutes after the completion of game two.
Russell@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066 ext. 231
