The Lockney Longhorns prepare for their matchup with the Ropes Eagles on May 6, 2022 in Abernathy. (Cervantes Photography/Used with Permission)
AMARILLO – The Lockney Longhorns (17-7) will carry its momentum from a bi-district sweep of the Ropes Eagles to Amarillo’s Caprock Field for a best-of-three series with the Gruver Greyhounds starting Thursday.
According to Lockney Athletic Director Jonathan Thiebaud, starting times will be at 4:30 on Thursday and Friday for Games 1 and 2, with Game 3 to follow Friday evening if needed. Admission will be $4 for adults and $2 for students.
MORE: See photos of Lockney’s matchup with Ropes at Cervantes Photography
Lockney’s two Bi-District games with Ropes at Abernathy were about different as day and night – winning Game 1 with a late start Friday that turned into a 9-inning marathon that carried past midnight before the Longhorns won 7-6 on a walk-off walk by Martin Salas, then the Longhorns k.o’d the Eagles in Game 2 on Saturday by scoring six runs in each the first and second innings to take a dominating 13-1 win in a game shortened five innings.
The Longhorns forced Ropes into using four pitchers in Game 2 by slamming 17-hits. A trio of Lockney batters had three hits apiece – Dyllan Thiebaud, Josh Jimenez and Martin Salas; while another threesome had two hits apiece – Nathan Cineceros, Damion Gonzales and Malaki Alvis.
Lockney’s winning pitchers at bi-district were Austin Rodriguez (3-0) and Josh Jimenez (4-1) in Games 1 and 2 respectively.
Gruver (12-4) won bi-district in a convincing fashion, disposing of the Shamrock Irish 24-10 on Saturday in their one-game playoff at Borger.
Gruver is the 1-2A champion, and Lockney the #3 seed from 3-2A.
Area round matchups
New Deal (19-4) vs Wellington (11-6)
Ralls (17-9) vs Clarendon (16-4)
Lockney (17-7) vs Gruver (12-4)
