Freshman Grant Jackson awaits a pitch before sending the game winning double to left field during the Eagles victory in LaVernia. ERIC SMITH | PLEASANTON EXPRESS The Pleasanton Eagles were able to come through when it mattered most during their Saturday afternoon game in LaVernia. After trailing 3-0, they used two key hits in the 8th inning, to rally past the Bears. Big Green improves to 12-4-2 overall and 4-2 in 28- 3A, as they are in 3rd place after the end of the first round of district play.

Pleasanton’s Elijah Engelmann took the mound for the Eagles, as he went all eight innings. He allowed six hits, while walking four and striking out four in the contest.

“I stated last week in the paper that you would see a different Eagle ball club and you did. We played with passion, motivation and the willingness to be better,” stated Coach Chris Ingram.

The LV Bears jumped ahead of Pleasanton early, as they were able to take the lead. LV scored first in the top of the 1st inning, courtesy of a walk and a double to take the 1-0 advantage.

Pleasanton Eagle Elijah Engelmann fires one across during his eight inning appearance in LV. The Eagles are hoping to get into the 3A playoffs. ERIC SMITH | PLEASANTON EXPRESS LV then added two runs in the bottom of the third, thanks to another walk, along with two singles and an error by the P-town shortstop. This allowed the home squad to take what they thought was a comfortable 3-0 lead going into the fourth.

Pleasanton came alive in the top of the fourth inning. After watching Elijah Engelman fly out for the first out of the inning, the Eagles came through. They used a Grant Jackson walk, a Jake Mickaels double to left field, a SAC fly by Matt Shannon and a Jacob Jandt walk to score in two runs to cut down the LV lead.

Pleasanton was able to tie up the contest, in the top of the 5th inning. They used a Zach Jackson error put into play and an Engelmann double to left field to score Jackson tying up this one at 3-3.

This is how this one would stand at the end of seven innings, forcing an eighth inning.

In the top of the 8th inning, Pleasanton began with a single to left field by Brenton Bouchillon, which was the spark the Eagles needed. Freshman Grant Jackson was up to bat next. On the second pitch to Jackson, Bouchillon was able to steal 2nd base putting the winning run just two bases away. Two pitches later, Jackson took a full count pitch and sent a long double to left field, which scored in Bouchillon giving the Eagles a 4-3 lead. This is all the Eagles needed to get past the Bears.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Pleasanton shut down the home team 1-2-3 to secure the 4-3 victory on the road against the Bears as well as the chance to shave the head of Head Coach, Chris Ingram. This was all about finding a way to insipire this ball club, to reach their potential this season.

“In recent games we have struggled at the plate, but we came out and competed and only had one strike out all day. We put the ball in play and made their defense work and in doing that, we hit the ball on the barrel a few times,” stated Coach Ingram.

Pleasanton finished the game with seven hits compared to six by the Bears. The Eagles defense did suffer three defensive errors compared to two by the Bears.

“Elijah did not have his best stuff on the bump, but we competed with what he had and that speaks volumes about his desire as a player to win and to put the team first. The final two innings of play is what makes my job so enjoyable to see the way the players responded in tough situations. After a single by Bouchillon, Jackson came up and hit a double off the wall in the left. Before that, I had told Brenton to be our spark and he was. I told the freshman to be a hero and he rose to the occasion,” Coach Ingram added.

The Pleasanton Baseball team is now in sole possession of 3rd place after the end of the first round of district. Be sure to check out the district standings posted in our sports section.

“Third place is not where we want to be, but it is a good place to start. The second round is going to be interesting and we will have a target on our back. Everyone knows that they have to beat us to get in and we will see everyone’s ace on the mound and the best line-up they can offer,” stated Coach Chris Ingram.

At bat- Zach Jackson 1-4- 1run scored, Jacob Arevalo 1-4, Elijah Engelmann 1-4- 1RBI, Brenton Bouchillon 2-3- 2runs scored, Grant Jackson 1-3-1run scored-1RBI, Jake Mickaels 1-3-1RBI, Matt Shannon 0-3, Jacob Jandt 0-3 and Rey Talamantez 0-3.

Upcoming Games- The # 10 state ranked Yoakum Bulldogs will come to town on Thursday for a 4:30 p.m. Jv and a 7:00 p.m. Varsity contest.

On Tuesday, April 10th the Eagles will travel to Poteet for a 4:30 p.m. Jv and a 7:00 p.m. Varsity contest.