Highlanders overpower Bowie in Game 1

MUMFORD, Texas - The Woodlands Highlander baseball team opened up a three-game Area playoff series against Austin Bowie at Mumford Friday afternoon.

The wind blowing out to right-field played an early role in the game, as Bowie gets a solo home run from Joe Davis to take the early 1-0 lead.

The Highlanders answer right back in the bottom of the frame as Luke Sherley gets a lead-off walk and then Chris Andritsos smacks a two-run home run to right-field to give the Highlanders a 2-1 lead after one inning of play.

Highlanders stretch their lead in the bottom of the second inning when Casey Schneider leads off with a double. Then Scott Stephens joins in on the party with a triple to right-field that scores Schneider, making it 3-1 Highlanders.

Chris Andritsos then got into a groove and was just straight nasty. Andritsos went the complete game and scattered just 5 hits, none consecutive. Andritsos changed up his pitches, as the fastball was very effective in freezing hitters and getting them to chase as Andritsos struck out 12 in the game.

The Highlanders added to their lead in the sixth inning when The Woodlands loads the bases for Luke Sherley, who hits a sacrifice fly and RBI to center-field, that scores Casey Schneider and its 4-1 Highlanders. Next batter is Chris Andritsos and he smacks a double to right-field, Scott Stephens and Ben Gooch, come on down as they’ll touch home and it’s 6-1 Highlanders.

Chris Andritsos gets Bowie in order in the top of the seventh inning and the Highlanders take Game 1, 6-1.

With the win, the Highlanders improve to 27-5 and take a 1-0 series lead with Game 2 tomorrow from Burger Field in Austin at 2pm.