JOURDANTON — Sharyland Pioneer lost a 10-inning thriller 2-1 against Georgetown on Friday night in Game 2 of their Region IV-5A final best-of-three series at Jourdanton High School.
The Eagles, who were victorious in Game 1 on Thursday 4-0, win the fifth-round playoff series 2-0.
Sharyland Pioneer’s season comes to an end at 33-10 overall. Georgetown (32-7) advances to next week’s state semifinals.
Georgetown loaded the bases during the bottom of the 10th inning, and Andon Petty drove in the game-winner with a blooper to right field.
“Heartbreaker. We had a few opportunities, we just couldn’t execute. They had a number of opportunities and couldn’t execute,” Pioneer interim head coach Shaw Moes said. “Like I told the boys, if you have a movie, that’s probably the way it’s going to end with a bleeder over the infield. Nene (Rene Vela) pitched really well, Ruben (Lopez) pitched really well. Those guys are freshmen and sophomores right there, so big things to come for those guys. I’m super proud of every one of these kids and our community for coming out and supporting us.”
An RBI single by Zack Zavala gave Georgetown a 1-0 lead during the bottom of the sixth.
Pioneer answered immediately by loading the bases and bringing in one run on a walk by Joshua Benitez to tie the game at 1.
Sharyland Pioneer’s seniors finish their careers with nine playoff series wins in three postseasons.
“Coming in our freshman year, we overcame a lot. I have to give it up to this group of seniors. We’ve been through it all — through adversity, through every tough obstacle you can imagine,” senior shortstop Juan Rivera said. “Luckily, we’ve been able to grind together and get through those moments. This is just one of those endings that opens a new chapter for everyone else. I just want to see these guys do great things in life. I love these guys like my brothers.”
“They’ve led really since they were freshmen. Obviously, this is not the way we want to go out, but there’s nothing to hang their heads about,” Moes said “They did an outstanding job, not only representing Pioneer but the community and the 956. There’s quite a few of them in there that are going to do big things, not just in baseball, but in life. That’s our jobs as coaches, to make sure they’re prepared for life and become good citizens. I know they’ll all do great things.”
