Michael Pineda
Control was the name of the game at Hines Park Thursday evening. The Excel pitching staff struggled to find the strike zone throughout the evening and Burkburnett took advantage, scoring 14 runs in two innings to pick up a 14-4 win.
The Excel received first dibs in the batting department and plated one run in the top of the first. Jordan Shelby reached on a single and reached scoring position by stealing second and third. A single by Jordan Morris put Excel up 1-0.
The Twisters had a answer in the bottom of the inning, scoring seven runs. After an opening strikeout, The Burkburnett team saw its next six batters reach by walk or hit by pitch. Casey Cannon broke the string with a two-run triple and another triple in the inning plated the seventh run of the inning.
Trailing 7-1, the Excel got their bats working and pulled within four runs. Whitney Johnson drew a leadoff walk. Sheldon Yeargan did the same as both runners advanced on a passed ball. Johnson scored on an overthrow and an Alexis Green single scored Yeargan to close the gap to 7-3.
Momentum did not stay with the Excel as Burkburnett put together a two-out rally and scored seven more runs.
The Excel retired two of the first three batters but free passes came back to haunt the team. Kelsey Shrgre and Brittney Hernandez tacked on a couple of base hits to extend the lead before the Excel came back to the plate.
Morris led the top of the third off by drawing a walk and stole second base. Morris advanced to third on a groundout and scored on an RBI groundout. It would be the last run of the game as the time limit came into effect.
Also contributing for the Excel was Madison Bowles, Savannah Corp, Hunter Shelby and Tori Davis.
