Wylie East senior shortstop Andrew Garcia, left, awaits the throw at second base during Game 1 of a Class 6A Division II bi-district playoff series against Tyler Legacy. Photo by Oladipo Awowale / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Photo gallery: https://csmediatexas.dotphoto.com/CPViewAlbum.asp?AID=6885186
With the sting of a 6-4, nine-inning loss to Tyler Legacy in Game 1 of a Class 6A Division II bi-district playoff series still lingering, Wylie East head coach Heath Andrews was glad his Raiders had two days off before their next game.
Game 1 was originally scheduled for last Thursday, but the threat of inclement weather moved it up one day and shifted it to Wylie East. The remainder of the series was played Saturday at Mike Carter Field in Tyler.
For a moment, it appeared the extended layoff would pay off. The Raiders came out as the more determined team Saturday, building a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. However, a defensive mistake in the bottom half shifted the momentum in Tyler Legacy’s favor — momentum Wylie East could not overcome in a season-ending 6-5 loss.
Brady Pollard hit a walk-off single to center field, capping a furious rally in which Tyler Legacy scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Jaden Davis started the comeback with a solo home run. Three batters later, Ruger Servis tied the score at 5-5 with a sacrifice bunt, and Pollard ended it two batters later.
Wylie East stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning, with a leadoff double by Brandon Johnson providing the spark. Johnson scored on an error for the game’s first run. Lukas Harold made it 2-0 with a bases-loaded walk, and Will Thomas followed with an RBI single for a 3-0 advantage.
The Raiders added to their lead in the fifth. Carter Covington and Andrew Garcia opened the inning with back-to-back singles and both scored on a double by Levi Scroggin for a 5-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Harold turned in a strong outing on the mound, holding Tyler Legacy scoreless through four innings. But a rough defensive sequence helped Legacy get back into the game.
Wylie East was one out away from escaping the fifth unscathed when the inning unraveled. Tyler Legacy scored on a wild pitch and two errors, the latter cutting the deficit to 5-3.
Tyler Legacy threatened again in the sixth. The Raiders loaded the bases with no outs, but Jaxon Ylda regrouped and worked out of the jam, striking out the next three batters he faced to preserve the lead.
Wylie East was two outs away from forcing a deciding Game 3, but Tyler Legacy delivered a heartbreaking finish after Pollard’s walk-off hit.
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