Tensions were as high as the humidity in Buda on Saturday for Game 3 of the series. Going into the top of the 3rd inning, the game was tied at 0. Caleb Crider started things off for the Rattlers by drawing a walk followed by Javi Cuevas reaching on a bunt. The Reagan stands went wild as Jeter Battles laid down another killer bunt to load the bases. With 2 outs and bases loaded, Isaiah Robledo ripped a line drive to RF for a triple, scoring 3 runs and causing jubilation amongst the Rattler fans. The 5th inning proved to be a high-scoring one for the Rattlers with 6 runs added. Reagan batters were disciplined at the plate, drawing 5 walks in the inning and 1 hit by pitch. The Rattlers were able to put the ball in play as well with Robledo racking up 2 more hits in the inning and another RBI. Going into the top of the 7th, the Rattlers were up 9-2, and they were determined to pad the lead. With 1 out, Cuevas singled on a hard shot, deep in the hole to SS. Jeter Battles moved Cuevas over to third with a line drive single to LF. Next, Tre Weaver crushed it with a double on a fly ball to RF scoring Cuevas and Battles, and Weaver reached third on a throwing error. Finally, the super-red-hot Robledo singled again on a line drive to LF, scoring Weaver and bringing the score to 12-2.
During the pre-game music hour, the song “Takin’ Care Of Business” played in the stadium, and that is exactly what Darden Wetherell did when he stepped on the hill for Reagan. Wetherell pitched lights out for 4 innings and then entered again in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs, bases loaded, and a score of 12-7 to finish the Dragons. Wetherell’s first pitch in the 7th was hit for an RBI single, but Darden induced a force at third base on pitch #2 to the next batter that was fielded by Caleb Crider for the final out. Wetherell pitched efficiently, facing 18 batters and throwing 63 pitches. He struck out 2, walked 0, and gave up 6 hits and 0 runs in his 4.1 innings pitched. Reliever, Cody Pictrowski, entered the game in the bottom of the 5th. Pictrowski pitched 2.2 innings, striking out 2, walking 4, and giving up 8 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits.
The Rattlers face off against New Braunfels Unicorns on Thursday, May 16 at New Braunfels HS @ 7 pm and again on Friday, May 17 at North East Sports Park @ 7 pm.
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