Lions stand strong during tourney

Lockhart Lion Baseball hosted their home tournament Feb. 24-26.

During the first evening of tournament play, the Lions defeated the Manor Mustangs 9-3. Senior pitcher John Madrigal earned the win in five innings of relief.

The following night the Lions took on the La Vernia Bears. Lockhart found themselves down 8-0 early in the game, but with a strong pitching effort by j

unior JD Pardo the Lions battled back to make it a 9-8 contest in the sixth inning. Unfortunately, that is where the game ended due to time limit.

Lockhart’s final game of the tournament came on Friday against Canyon Lake. Again Lockhart fell behind early, this time 6-0. But senior pitcher Steven Lillian was able to hold them there while his teammates chopped away at the lead.

Going into the bottom of the seventh, the Lions were down 6-5. Junior outfielder Logan Zimmerhanzel drew a walk to lead off the inning, and advanced to second on a pass ball. He was driven in to tie the game on a single by senior shortstop Jacob Alvarez.

On a 3-2 count, senior catcher Brandon Martinez hit a walk-off two run homerun to give Lockhart the victory.

With that win the Lions finished third in the tournament.

Pardo, Lillian and Martinez were named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Lions hosted Austin Travis on Tuesday, March 1 and The Lions next face Austin Travis at home this Tuesday night.

(Courtesy of Gene Salazar)