UIL baseball playoffs: Johnson edges Round Rock in Class 6A bi-district series to force Game 3
GEORGETOWN — Johnson and Round Rock will be going the distance.
The Jaguars won Game 2 of a Class 6A bi-district series on Friday at East View 2-1 thanks to a brilliant pitching performance by Jayden Lopez and some clutch hitting in the fourth inning.
Game 3 will be Saturday afternoon at 2 at Del Valle with the winner advancing to the area round.
“Jayden had another great outing, and as a team we did a good job," Johnson coach Mark Durham said. "We hustled on the field, played good defense and pitched well.”
Here are some thoughts from Friday’s game as the teams have a quick turnaround.
Lopez brilliant
Throwing more than 100 pitches for the first time all season, Lopez shined.
He struck out six in six innings and only allowed two hits and an unearned run.
With the Jaguars backs against the wall following a 9-2 loss in Game 1 on Thursday night, Lopez provided the performance they needed to stay in the series.
“My fastball was working tonight and the slider, too,” Lopez said. “I was just thinking about throwing strikes and let my defense play. I felt good today.”
Lopez noted he didn’t want the pressure of the playoffs to affect his approach to the game.
“You just want to stay composed and not think about it too much,” he said.
Schnabel comes through
Thomas Schnabel provided the game’s big hit with an RBI single with the bases loaded and no outs in the fourth.
“There was big energy going into that at-bat,” Schnabel said. “I knew I had to get the ball in play somewhere and had an up-the-middle approach, and that’s what ended up happening. I’m glad it went well for me and it went that way.”
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Schnabel noted that he appreciates the playoff atmosphere with the large and engaged crowds and the players bringing their best.
“I love it,” said Schnabel, whose key at-bat was followed by John Swinton’s RBI groundout that gave Lopez an insurance run. “It’s super-fun, and I love the energy we had in the dugout.”
McLain closes the door
McLain wanted the ball in the seventh inning, and he delivered.
He retired all three batters he faced with three strikeouts to make sure the series-decider would take place Saturday.
“I just challenged them with the fastball to make them hit it, and it turned out well for me,” McLain said.
McLain also shined on offense, finishing with three hits, including a double.
Durham said he appreciated McLain’s desire to have the ball the seventh inning, and that now Game 3 will be all about depth.
“It’s about attrition now,” he said. “We’ve seen their top two guys and they’ve seen our top two guys. The bullpens will be key tomorrow. And you have to throw strikes and play defense.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UIL baseball playoffs: Johnson edges Round Rock to force Game 3
