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NEWS | April 19, 2007

BASEBALL: White Sox edge by Warhawks

By Raymond V. Whelan 37th Training Wing Public Affairs Office

The Lackland Warhawks Varsity Baseball Team suffered a tough loss by a slim margin earlier this week during San Antonio Men's Senior Baseball League action.

Lackland lost 10-9 to the White Sox through seven innings April 15 at Warhawk Field.

A bases-loaded single to right-center field by White Sox catcher Mark Huddleston off Lackland relief pitcher Jason Guerra broke a 7-7 tie and boosted the White Sox to a 10-7 lead through the sixth inning.

The White Sox maintained their advantage through the seventh and final inning. Then, both Warhawks extra hitter Keith Bratton and left fielder Justin Ailor drove in one run with singles. With two outs, Bratton was on third base representing the tying run, while Ailor was at second with the potential winning run.

Unfortunately for Lackland, the game ended after White Sox pitcher Justin Anderson struck out shortstop Nathan Zimmerman with a borderline outside pitch that was called for a third strike.

Lackland tallied 16 hits, while their opponents recorded 11. Ailor went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Bratton went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, and he scored once during the first inning. Also for Lackland, second baseman Mario Villarreal went 3-for-4, and he scored three runs. Catcher Andrew Taylor went 1-for-2 and scored three times. Third baseman Miguel Jimenez went 2-for-4 and scored twice.

Lackland starting pitcher John Rose went 4 2/3 innings and struck out seven. However, the right-handed hurler gave up seven runs on nine hits, and he walked eight. After he relieved Rose, Guerra struck out four and gave up just two hits during 2 1/3 innings. However, Guerra walked three.

Altogether, both Lackland pitchers issued 11 bases on balls, and seven of the walks turned into runs. Those numbers did not please Lackland coach Davin Dukes.

"You cannot defend against walks," Dukes said. "When you run 3-0 counts on the hitters, and when you don't keep the batters off balance, our team is at a disadvantage. Teams are not beating us; we're beating ourselves."

Anderson struck out five and walked only three while he pitched a complete game for the White Sox. Left fielder Brice Gilmore went 3-for-4, and Huddleston went 2-for-2.

SAMSBL officials had originally planned the game for Saturday. However, heavy rain on Friday prompted them to move the game to Sunday morning. Also, Lackland was set to play the Red Sox Sunday afternoon at Wagner Field on Foster Road. However, a scheduling mix-up forced postponement of the game.

Lackland is now 2-3 in the SAMSBL. They play the Red Sox at 7 p.m. April 20 at the Warhawk Fitness Center.