Wylie East pitcher Levi Scroggin allowed two runs over seven innings with five strikeouts in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Wylie. Photo by Oladipo Awowale / C&S Media
By Mark Saldana
In a tightly contested District 9-6A matchup, Wylie East used a late surge to edge Wylie 3-2, capitalizing on a clutch RBI double by Carter Covington in the final inning to secure the win at Pirate Field.
With the result, Wylie falls to 19-11 overall and 12-3 in district play, while Wylie East improves to 16-10 overall and 12-3 in district.
“Very competitive game for both teams,” Wylie East head coach Heath Andrews said. “Each pitcher gave their team a chance. We just had a few more things go our way.”
Wylie wasted no time getting on the board, taking advantage of early opportunities in the bottom of the first inning.
Noah Smith sparked the offense with a double, and Cooper Watts followed with a walk. After Aiden Beck was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Smith scored on a sacrifice fly to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Despite the early momentum, Wylie was unable to extend its lead, leaving multiple runners stranded.
Both teams threatened in the second inning but failed to break through. Wylie East put runners on base but couldn’t capitalize, and Wylie followed with a similar outcome in the bottom half, keeping the score 1-0 heading into the third.
The Raiders responded in the top of the third with aggressive baserunning and smart situational play.
Parker Brunson reached base and quickly stole second to set the tone. Brandon Johnson followed with a bunt single to move Brunson to third, then stole second himself to put two runners in scoring position. Lukas Harold delivered with another well-placed bunt, allowing Brunson to score and tie the game at 1-1.
Wylie answered in the bottom of the inning, pushing a run across on a Chase Martin RBI double to regain the lead at 2-1.
The Pirates threatened for more, but a double play changed the momentum. Brunson caught a line drive at shortstop and threw to second baseman Andrew Garcia to complete an inning-ending double play and keep Wylie East’s deficit at one run.
“Heads-up play from Brunson and Garcia,” Andrews said. “They have made plays like that all season. They work so well together and have a great feel for what the other is doing or wanting to do. It is a real asset having them in the middle. I think the energy is always there for that game but really gives a momentum and confidence shift.”
The Raiders found their rhythm again in the fifth inning, plating a run on a wild pitch to even the score at 2-2. From there, pitching and defense took over, as neither side generated offense in the sixth inning.
Pitching was strong for both teams. Wylie East’s Levi Scroggin went the distance and picked up the win, allowing two runs over seven innings with five strikeouts. Wylie’s Martin also impressed, striking out seven and allowing one earned run in six innings.
With the game tied entering the seventh, Wylie East delivered the decisive blow. Covington stepped up in a high-pressure moment and ripped a double that drove in the go-ahead run, giving the Raiders their first lead of the night at 3-2.
“Carter has been clutch for us several times this year,” Andrews said. “In moments like that when I see Carter coming up, it is a good feeling.”
Wylie had one final opportunity in the bottom of the seventh, but Wylie East’s defense held firm. The game ended on a fly ball, sealing the Raiders’ narrow victory.
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