Highlanders prevail over Bryan in pitchers duel

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Woodlands Highlander baseball team looked to bounce back after a tough loss at Lufkin last week and keep sole possession of first place in the district when the Highlanders hosted Bryan on Thursday night.

If you like pitching duels, we had one tonight between Bryan starting pitcher and Rice-commit Willy Amador and Highlander pitcher Chris Andritsos.

Through the first four-innings, Bryan and The Woodlands combined for just two hits, and both of those were by the Highlanders. Bryan didn’t get its first hit until the top of the fifth with one out.

Each time Bryan had a baserunner Andritsos would settle down and retire the next couple of batters. Amador did the same as both pitchers were fantastic through five innings.

The Woodlands (23-4, 9-1) would finally break through in the bottom of the sixth, after a two-base error gets Mark Doerries to second base. Hillin Warren then steps in and the Highlanders break free as Warren gets a double-RBI to right-center, scoring Doerries and The Woodlands has a 1-0 lead. The Highlanders weren’t done yet as Casey Schneider gets in front of a fastball and just unleashes one to left-center and its gone! A two-run homerun for Schneider and the Highlanders have a commanding 3-0 lead after six-innings.

Chris Andritsos gets the Vikings in order in the top of the seventh-inning to close it out. Andritsos gets the complete-game two-hit shutout and struck out nine.

With the win The Woodlands improves to 9-1 in district, 23-4 overall and keeps sole possession of first place in District 14-5A.