5-Run Fifth Inning Springs Generals to 9-5 Win Over River Monsters
June 26, 2023 – The Victoria Generals scored five runs in the fifth inning to grab a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in a 9-5 victory over the Seguin River Monsters at Riverside Stadium. Victoria improved to 12-10 with the triumph and are now two games back of first place in the Texas Collegiate League standings.
The Generals tallied 10 hits in the contest, with A&M-Corpus Christi LF Drake Kerr, Western Oklahoma State CF Cristopher Munoz and Wharton County Junior College C Levi Castilleja leading the charge with two hits each. UT-Arlington DH Tyce Armstrong knocked in three runs, while Kerr and Cornell SS Ryan Porter both had two RBIs. Armstrong and Western Oklahoma State RF Derek Cerda each scored two runs as well. Cerda and Kerr were walked twice, with the latter reaching base in all five plate appearances.
A&M-Corpus Christi RHP Kody Gibbs started on the mound for Victoria, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Houston-Victoria LHP Brady Parker picked up the win with just one unearned run on four hits and a walk while punching out five in 4.1 frames. Angelina College RHP Trace Sanchez pitched an inning of relief with a hit and a strikeout before Houston LHP Bryson Walker closed out the final two frames with a walk and four punchouts.
Seguin picked up a run in the top of the first with an RBI double, but Victoria answered in the bottom of the frame with Armstrong’s 3-run home run to left field. It marked the Generals’ fifth long ball of the season and second hit at home. The River Monsters responded with three runs in the second behind a 2-run single and RBI base hit, but a Porter RBI sacrifice fly tied the game at 4-4 in the fourth.
Victoria grabbed the lead for good with a 5-spot in the fifth inning. Armstrong was hit by a pitch, Spenrath walked and Munoz singled to load the bases, with Armstrong stealing home for the go-ahead run as the pitch got away from the catcher. Castilleja laced an RBI single before Porter drew a bases-loaded walk to build on the lead. One batter later, Kerr ripped a 2-run double to the left-center warning track to put a cap on the Generals’ scoring.
Seguin’s RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth brought home the final run of the game.
Both teams meet up in a rematch on Tuesday, June 27, at Riverside Stadium. It’s Free Ticket Night, presented by the University of Houston-Victoria, with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
