Johnson City baseball beats Granger to take series lead
The Johnson City baseball team beat Granger 9-1 May 4 in game one of the best-of-three bi-district series.
Game two is set for 5 p.m. Friday, May 5, at Lago Vista.
Junior McCray Jacobs led the way for the Eagles (17-6, 12-0 District 28-2A champions). As the starting pitcher, struck out 13 in six innings. Ryan Shipley pitched the final inning.
“We extended the lead to nine runs in the bottom of the six,” head coach Steven Shipley said. “We wanted to save any pitches he had left.”
McCray also helped his own cause at the plate with had 3 RBIs off 3 hits, while H Birck had 1 RBI, and Shipley had 2 hits. The Eagles scored three in the first inning, two in the fourth, and four in the sixth.
“He was typical McCray,” the coach said. “Going out and competing and seeing how well we can do.”
While coaches were pleased with the numbers, Shipley pointed out the two most important were under runs and the zero under errors.
“We allowed one run with no errors,” he said. “Those are the two we really concern ourselves with.”
Shipley noted one important trait that some fans may take for granted is playoff experience. He said his roster has six seniors and two key pitchers in sophomore Johnny Slawinski and Jacobs who understand the mentality of the postseason versus the regular season.
“That makes a difference,” he said. “Playoff experience is a big thing. There’s playoff pressure and knowing one game could be your last. That experience in the playoffs is big. Everything you’re recognized for is what the team does now. It’s the third season. You have to know how to play in the third season.”
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