From the Killeen Daily Herald:
By Princess McDowell
Killeen Daily Herald
Team Killeen lost to Tatis, 8-4, Saturday at Killeen Athletic Complex, dropping them into the losers bracket of the Men’s ‘C’ Fastpitch National Championship.
The team will face Marysville VFW at 9 a.m. today on Field 3. In order for the team to win the tournament, it will have to win five consecutive games.
Pitcher Benito Flores had a busy day on the mound. He tossed a one-hitter in the early game against the Titans, but gave up seven runs on nine hits in the night game against Tatis.
Jason Hooten, Team Killeen coach and shortstop, said he didn’t think Flores was fatigued – it was just that the Tatis hitters were connecting with tough pitches.
Flores was relieved after plating the inning’s 10th batter.
Tatis would have scored eight in the sixth, but its second batter pulled up with an injury running to third. He was tagged out while limping to home plate.
While Team Killeen’s pitching struggled, the team’s offense could not get started. Team Killeen had three players reach base in the final three innings.
“We were able to get those three early off him, but they just got hot when it was time to,” he said. “That’s how softball works.”
Hooten said he probably would not start Flores for their first game today since he may have to be used later.
The team defeated the San Antonio Titans, 8-0, in six innings to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Team Killeen’s offense turned up the heat, scoring three in the first and second innings. The game was called in the sixth because of the run-rule.
Catcher Ed Solis hit a two-run home run in the first to put the team ahead 3-0. After Mike Garza grounded out to the third baseman, the next four batters reached base, with two crossing home.
Team Killeen added insurance runs in the third and sixth before the game was called.
Hooten said the team played really well in the early game.
“We hit the ball great and had our momentum going,” he said.
Killeen’s other hometown team, Killeen Fastpitch, was eliminated late Friday after being defeated by Garden Spot Bowl, 13-9.