Pearland diamondmen take out La Porte and Memorial

March 31, 2010

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Pearland's Matt Rhodes pitched a four-hitter against Pasadena Memorial as the Oilers took out the Mavericks 9-1 to improve their season record to 16-5 and 4-0 in district action. (Photo by Manny Guerrero)

PEARLAND — The Pearland Oilers continue to make their way through the District 22-5A opponents to post a current 4-0 mark with wins over Pasadena (11-0), Sam Rayburn (7-0), La Porte (9-7), and Pasadena Memorial (9-1).

The defending Class 5A Region III champions are looking to capture the league crown this season with hopes of winning another regional title and returning back to the state baseball tournament.

It appeared that the Oilers would get another easy win against La Porte after jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the first three frames.

Pearland scored three runs in the first and third innings for a 6-0 lead and then added another in the top of the fourth.

But La Porte wasn't going to go down that easy as the Bulldogs ralled with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth and one more in the fifth to trim the lead to 7-3.

All Pearland had to do is get three outs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win, but the wheels fell off as La Porte scored four runs with two outs to knot up the score and send the game into an extra inning. The Oilers allowed two hits and committed a pair of errors to allow the Bulldogs to get back in the game.

But the Oilers took care of business in the top of the eighth as Kyle Cross opened with a single, Matt Rhodes reaches base on a fielder's choice moving Cross to second. Both runners moved to second and third on a double steal. Michael Matthews reaches first on a fielder's choice that allowed Cross to score and moving Rhodes to third. Drew DeKerlegand hit a fly ball to left field that allowed Rhodes to score giving the Oilers a 9-7 lead before La Porte retired the side.

Ryan Kay, who stepped in relief for Rhodes, struck out two of the three batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth to get the win.

Brock Hartson led the Oilers at the plate going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Kelly Cross was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. DeKerlegand had a hit for an RBI and also scored twice. Kyle Cross was 2-for-4 with one run scored. Jake Paddock had three RBIs. Matthews was 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Keith Freund had an RBI.

Pearland 9 - Pasadena Memorial 1

The Oilers got back on the lopsided win column with a 9-1 win over Pasadena Memorial.

Matt Rhodes got the win after limiting Memorial to four hits and one run with three strikeouts.

Pearland scored in every inning except two while pounding out 12 hits.

Drew DeKerlegand was 3-for-5 with three runs scored and one RBI. Kelly Cross was 3-for-4 with one run scored and three RBIs. Brock Hartson was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. The No. 3, 4, and 5 hitters combined for 8-for-12 with four runs scored and six RBIs.

The Oilers (16-5, 4-0) hosted South Houston on Tuesday (late) and then will go to Deer Park on Thursday, April 1 to face the Deer at 7:00 p.m. The Oilers will travel to face Dobie on Tuesday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m.

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