MUMFORD — Senior pitcher Maverick McAllister led the Thrall Tigers to a 3-0 win over Anderson-Shiro in the opening game of the regional finals series on Thursday, May 22. McAllister tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing five hits and striking out five.
Both teams got their leadoff hitters on base in the first inning but failed to score. The Owls threatened in the second with runners on first and second and one out, but McAllister struck out the next two batters to escape the jam. Thrall went down in order in the bottom of the inning before breaking through in the third.
The Tigers drew two walks with one out, setting up senior Hayden Heselmeyer for an RBI single to put Thrall ahead 1-0. Heselmeyer led the team at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomores Gus Navejas and Weston Smiley followed with back-to-back RBI singles to extend the lead to 3-0.
McAllister stayed in control from there, retiring six of the next seven batters. Anderson-Shiro had another scoring opportunity in the sixth with two straight singles and two outs, but McAllister once again ended the threat with a strikeout. The Owls put two runners on in the seventh, but senior Ty Matthews sealed the win by catching a fly ball for the final out.
Thrall improved to a perfect 7-0 in postseason play and looked to close out the series against Anderson-Shiro on Friday, May 23.
