On Tuesday night, Varsity and JV baseball took on Lake Travis for the first game in their series. Although their records are comparable to LT, Varsity fell to the Cavaliers 1-11, while JV lost 4-5.
For their first game, the varsity Trojans hosted the Cavaliers at Nelson Field. Anderson had strong fielding, especially in the first four innings, where Lake Travis was unable to score. While the Trojans’ fielding was good, the Cavaliers’ pitching was better, making it difficult for Anderson players to get on base. Following a strikeout from pitcher Sheppard Tyler, Lake Travis notched their first runs in the top of the fifth, leading the Trojans 3-0. At the top of the sixth, Drew Mierl came to the mound from the bullpen and did not allow any runs during the inning. There was no answer from Anderson until the bottom of the sixth, where Jett Joseph scored on a ground out from Karsten Fidler, tallying the first run for the Trojans and putting them behind by two (3-1). Anderson had the opportunity to even the score, but they let it slip away when the Cavaliers were at bat. Andrew Mason relieved Mierl at the top of the seventh, allowing three runs before being replaced by Connor Clifton. Clifton allowed another run before the Trojans recorded the first out of the inning, when Lake Travis was up 9-1. The Cavaliers tallied two more runs by the middle of the seventh, and there was no answer from Anderson in the bottom of the inning. The varsity Trojans fell to Lake Travis, 1-11.
JV kept the score much closer, despite neither team scoring for the first one and a half innings. Lake Travis notched their first run in the second, putting them up by one. The Trojans tied it up the next time they were at bat, after a single from Judaya Coulson. At the bottom of the fourth inning, Dominic Bellavia stole third base when Trae Lones was at the plate. Bellavia was able to slide into home after an error from the catcher, recording a run for Anderson and taking the lead, 2-1. Lake Travis notched two runs on an error from right fielder Hayden Magee and then another off a single, leading the Trojans 2-4 by the bottom of the fifth. A line drive from the Cavaliers gave them another run, but Anderson answered with a single of their own from Kalvin Arteaga in the top of the seventh. Hayden Magee hit a pop fly, giving Hayes Atkins the opportunity to score and narrowing the Trojans’ deficit, 4-5. The game ended mid-way through the seventh inning, with an Anderson loss, 4-5.
Overall, these first match-ups against Lake Travis were learning experiences for the Trojans. Varsity was met with an offensive onslaught that they could not contain and watched the scoring margin widen. They also saw first-hand the power of the Cavaliers’ pitching. Taking these lessons into Thursday’s game will help them succeed and hopefully upset the #3 district school. JV learned how just two errors can cost them the game, which is something they must tighten up before their next match-up. Both Anderson teams are capable of beating Lake Travis, it’s just a matter of walking onto the field with a goal and executing it. Come out and support Trojan baseball at Lake Travis HS this Thursday as they conclude their series against the Cavaliers.
