ABILENE, TX (June 27th, 2024) – The Texarkana Rhinos were able to find the win column in
game three against the first-place Abilene Flying Bison as they strung together nine runs to do
so.
Neither team was able to score for the first two innings of the ball game, but the visiting
Texarkana Rhinos took the lead with two runs in the top of the third and held onto the lead from
that point until the game’s conclusion. The first run was scored by Christian Rosales, who was
walked, and then was driven in by Gabriel Natividad, who caught a pitch on the inside of the
plate to pull into a gap in left field for a double. Next, it was Natividad crossing home plate for
the Rhinos as Rylan Evans hit the ball into shallow center for a single and an RBI.
While already having the lead, the Rhinos continued to build towards the win by scoring three
more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Jackson Glymph got on base with a single and then
immediately stole second before being moved to third on a ground ball to the second baseman.
So, with two outs, Glymph was able to take advantage of a passed ball that spun its way behind
Abilene catcher Jacob Lang. With two outs, the Rhinos lineup turned over as the top of the
order came back to the plate. Rosales kept the rally going with a single, then was moved to third
base on a double to left field by Gabriel Natividad, his second of the game. The rally was
finished off by Rylan Evans, who got the final hit of the inning with a single into center field that
was well enough placed to score both of his teammates for two RBIs.
In the bottom of the fourth, Abilene made their first true push of the game as they scored four
runs and cut the Rhinos lead down to just a single run. These four runs all came on a single
swing from Jack Cue, who hammered a home run for a grand slam.
The fifth inning then followed with more action from both sides when Texarkana started it off as
Ian Guanzon walked, then worked all the way around the bases on wild pitches before
eventually scoring on a passed ball. In the home half of the fifth, Abilene then matched
Texarkana’s efforts with a single run of their own.
With the score set at 6-5 in the visiting Rhinos favor, the game’s offense slowed to a halt for the
proceeding two innings. Following the two quiet innings, the eighth inning’s action was launched
in its top half by Texarkana. Yuto Mimura scored as he was driven in by a single into right field
by Christian Rosales. Jackson Glymph also took advantage of the situation, scoring on an error
on the throw by Abilene’s right fielder. Gabriel Natividad then showed off as he drilled his third
double and fourth hit of the game over the head of the centerfielder to allow the Rhinos ninth run
of the game to score. In the bottom of the eighth, the Rhinos were able to hold off the comeback
attempt by the Flying Bison, whose two runs were not enough to get them back into the ball
game.
The ninth inning was then scoreless for both sides, so the score ended at 9-7 with the Rhinos
on top. Chance Reed took his first win of the season for Texarkana and ended his night with 6.1
innings pitched, 8 hits, and 5 runs allowed. Mason Sellers also got his first save of the season when he came in in the seventh inning as a late reliever and held onto the Rhinos lead from that point on.