Ray, Goss take care of Boerne Champion in Game 1 of regional semifinal series
Ray pitcher Keevyn Goss responded how most ace pitchers do after dealing with a shaky first inning.
Goss, who signed with Division I Houston Christian in November, allowed two early runs, but countered by retiring 19 of the final 21 batters he faced to help the Texans capture an 8-2 win against Boerne Champion in Game 1 of a Class 5A regional semifinal series on Thursday.
Goss’ performance on the mound, mixed with patient at-bats and timely hitting helped Ray take a 1-0 series lead with Game 2 scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday at North East Sports Park in San Antonio.
“I couldn't have done it without the guys behind me," said Goss, who threw 91 pitches and struck out two in seven innings and drove in a run and doubled in the sixth inning. "We have a great defense and when I started settling in, I just needed to pitch to contact."
The Texans scored in every inning except the first and drew six walks while outhitting the Chargers 9-4.
Ray's best inning came in the fourth win it sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs behind a bases loaded walk by Lucas Tinajero, a sacrifice fly by Goss, an RBI single by Jack Spenst and a Boerne Champion throwing error.
Ray freshman Jordan Garza led the Texans by going 3 for 3 with two RBI.
"It felt good and I felt very confident in myself," Garza said. "I saw the ball really well today and I'm just glad I could help the team get the win."
Ray, which is making its second consecutive appearance in the regional semifinals, will try and clinch its first trip the Region IV-5A final for the first time since 2017 with a win against the Chargers in Game 2.
“Anytime you open a two out of three series with that first win, you're closer to what your goal is," Ray coach Orlando Ruiz said. "I told the kids we have to stay humble, keep working and do the little things right."
Thursday’s highlights
Boerne Champion's only two runs came in the first inning after drawing two walks and scoring the first run on a sacrifice fly by Sam Miller. Jaredo Wingo added an RBI single to make it 2-0 before Goss settled down the rest of the game. Ray's first run came on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Chapa in the second and Jordan Garza tied the game with an RBI single in the third. Lucas Tinajero's bases loaded walk gave Ray the lead for good with Goss and Spenst following with two more RBI. Brandon Chapa and Garza added some insurance with run-producing hits in the fifth and sixth innings.
Thursday’s stars
Jordan Garza finished with three hits and drove in two runs to lead the Texans and Goss retired 19 of the final 21 Boerne Champion hitters to earn the win. Jack Spenst and Brandon Chapa combined for four hits three RBI to pace Ray's offensive production.
They said it
Roy coach Orlando Ruiz on Goss' performance on the mound: "He always has one bad inning and it started with the first inning, which we didn't want but after that he was lights out."
Ray pitcher Keevyn Goss and opening the series with a win: "We're going to stay humble. We've been in this position before where we win the first game and come back and not doing our job. We'll come out strong tomorrow and energized. That's all we have to do."
Ray freshman Jordan Garza on the team's preparation for Game 2: "Getting the win in front of the home crowd was big and it helped a lot going into tomorrow. We have to do the same thing and keep wining."
Up next
Ray vs. Boerne Champion in Game 2 of the Class 5A regional semifinals, 1:30 p.m. Friday, North East Sports Park, San Antonio.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Keevyn Goss throws gem as Ray opens with win vs. Boerne Champion
