THRALL — The Thrall Tigers varsity baseball team cruised to a 10-0 run-rule victory over the Academy Bumblebees on Friday, April 24, after erupting for nine runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The game remained scoreless until the fourth, when sophomore Weston Smiley broke the deadlock with an RBI double to put the Tigers on the board. After Academy went down in order in the top of the fifth, Thrall’s bats came alive.
Sophomore Jack Gustafson led off the inning with a solo home run to spark the rally. Back-to-back singles from junior Bryce Brinkmeyer and senior Hayden Heselmeyer, along with a walk, loaded the bases.
A walk, a groundout, and a defensive error brought in four runs to extend the lead to 6-0. Senior Ethan Boecker and Brinkmeyer followed with RBI singles that plated four more runs to seal the runrule victory.
Senior Maverick McAllister earned the win on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings and striking out four.
Thrall advances to the bi-district round of the playoffs, where it will face Elkhart in a best-of-three series at Mumford High School. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, at 5 p.m., with Game 2 beginning 30 minutes after. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Saturday, May 3, at 4 p.m.
The Elks finished 6-6 in District 20-3A and are expected to start Cole Horton on the mound.
