Carson Haffner's no-hitter spurs Randall to series-opening win over Hereford in I-4A quarterfinal
CANYON — After run-ruling Hereford twice in the regular season, Randall was getting a much fiercer test in the first game of its 4A regional quarterfinal game on Thursday. Carlos Duran was pitching the game of his life against one of the most feared lineups in all of 4A at West Texas A&M.
Thankfully for the Raiders, they had a pitcher who was nearly perfect.
For the second time this season, Carson Haffner pitched a no-hitter, giving up just one second-inning walk and keeping the Herd from doing any damage on offense. That was enough to allow Randall time to make a play happen at the plate, which is exactly what Kaden Juarez did with his sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to score Payton Bush.
In a pitcher’s duel, that was the only run that was needed as the Raiders got the 1-0 win to take the 1-0 edge in the series. The Raiders swept the best-of-three series Friday with a 13-5 victory in five innings.
It was foreshadowing to be a low-scoring affair through the first four innings — with a walk by Haffner yielding the only baserunner by either team. Duran pitched a perfect game into the fourth before giving up a walk and a single.
"(It was an) unbelievable game," said Randall coach Cory Hamilton, whose squad will play the winner of Glen Rose and Wichita Falls in the regional semifinals. "(There were) two really good pitchers today. I don't know how you can outdo Carlos Duran for Hereford, only giving up two hits and holding this lineup to one run, but lucky enough Carson threw a really good game. He had no hits or runs across the board. Great job by him."
On one of if not the deepest pitching staffs in the Panhandle, Haffner had one of the Raiders' best performances of the year on a day when the offense needed it. In his second no-hitter of the year, in seven innings, he felt like he could go another few more if needed.
What's crazy is he almost didn't realize he had the no-hitter.
"I honestly didn't even think about it," Haffner said. "A win is a win. I don't care about personal accolades or anything."
Speaking of personal, Juarez seemed to take it personal when Hereford intentionally walked Kole Dudding right before he was set to bat in the sixth inning. Hamilton even acknowledged as much. Though Juarez didn't get the hit, he sent the ball deep enough that Bush was able to make it home from third and give the Raiders the only run they needed.
"Anytime you intentionally walk a guy the one coming up takes it personal," Hamilton said. "(Hereford) coach (Grant) Davis made the right move forcing ever base, but high school kids don't see it as the right move. They see it as disrespectful and (Juarez) was looking for a ball to square up and he did."
1A regional quarterfinal baseball
Randall 1, Hereford 0
Randall 000 001 0— 1 2 0
Hereford 000 000 0 — 0 0 1
Randall - Carson Haffner and Blaine Brannon. Hereford - Carlos Duran and Marcos Acosta. W — Haffner (N/A). L — Duran (N/A). 2B — Randall, 0. Hereford, 0. 3B — Randall, 0. Hereford, 0. HR — Randall, 0. Hereford, 0.
Records: Randall 33-3, Hereford 20-10-2
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Carson Haffner's no-hitter leads Randall to 1-0 win over Hereford in regional quarterfinals
