Local Sports

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

KILGORE — After a slow start, East Texas pounded out seven runs on nine hits, but it wasn’t enough in a 9-7 loss to McKinney Saturday at Driller Park.

The Pump Jacks (10-13) rallied from a 7-0 deficit to tie the game in the sixth. McKinney responded with two runs in the seventh and a stellar three-inning relief effort by Del Howell to end any more comeback thoughts.

McKinney raises its record to 15-8 and increases its first-place lead over East Texas (10-13) to five games.

Marshal reliever Christian Gagne got the win, despite giving up three runs on four hits in his one inning of work.

He can thank Howell.

The sophomore from Alabama blanked East Texas the rest of the way, allowing one single, two walks and three strikeouts.

Pump Jacks starter Justin Murray held McKinney in check through 3 2/3 innings and looked to be sailing through the fourth, when everything unraveled.

Bo Coffman singled with two outs. The next batter, J.B. Brown hit a ground ball deep to short, but Adam DeLaGarza bobbled the baseball when trying to backhand it. The error put runners at first and second. Stephen Gillette, batting in the No. 9 slot, then launched the first pitch he saw from Murray over the left center-field wall for a 3-0 lead.

McKinney added four more runs off Murray in the fifth. Justin Bloxom drove in two with a single. Bloxom later scored on a passed ball and Mike Walker made it 7-0 when he scored on a ground out.

The Pump Jacks’ bats woke up in a big way in the bottom of the sixth with East Texas using six singles and a double to push seven runs across and tie the game.

McKinney starter Nick Pepitone had frustrated East Texas up that point, allowing only one hit in five innings.

But everything reversed in the sixth inning.

DeLaGarza started the surge with a lead-off walk. Josh Riley, Matt Curry and Nate Bryan followed with singles to push two runs across and cut the deficit to 7-2.

McKinney tried to stem the tide by replacing Murray with right-handed sidearmer Christian Gagne, but it couldn’t prevent Paige Hodges from reaching out and slapping an 0-2 pitch for a two-run single.

Gagne finally recorded an out, but a single by Garrett Dunn loaded the bases for Blake Yazel, who laced a double down the first base line, scoring Hodges to make it 7-6. The comeback was complete moments later when Keenan Duke’s ground out scored Yazel.

East Texas’ joy was short-lived as McKinney went back in front for good in the top of the seventh.

Notes: The press box power went out in the middle of the seventh inning. It didn’t prevent the crowd from singing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” without accompaniment. Power was restored minutes later. The largest crowd in Pump Jacks history, 1,312, was treated to a fireworks show following the game. … The two teams play again on Sunday.

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McKinney 9, East Texas 7

McKinney 000 340 200 — 9 10 1

East Texas 000 007 00x — 7 9 4

Nick Pepitone, Christian Gagne (6), Del Howell (7) and Joe Oliveira; Justin Murray, Matt Shelton (6), Daniel Nottebart (7) and Paige Hodges. W – Gagne (2-0). L – Shelton (1-1). SV – Del Howell (1). 2B – M: Myrio Richard 2; ET: Blake Yazel. HR – M: Stephen Gillette (two on, fifth).

RECORDS –

McKinney 15-8, East Texas 10-13.

NEXT UP –

McKinney at East Texas, 7:05 p.m. Sunday at Driller Park.

Att. — 1,312.