By COSMO COSSEY
Sports Connection Team
PALESTINE - Riverside (27-6), the third seed from the 2A North Regional, was held to one hit on the day in a 1-0 loss to defending state champion Woodlawn (33-1) Friday. Woodlawn, who are the one seed from the 2A South Regional, beat the Rebels by the same score back in March.
Bryce Smith grounded out leading off the game for the Rebels before Brayeson Timms reached on an error. Zain McClure's fielder's choice grounder forced Timms at second base before Cash Gillis drew a two-out walk. Tucker Emery flew out for the third out.
Woodlawn got a runner on base after reaching first on a grounded strikeout before McClure got a pop out and ground out to end the inning.
Jackson Mann reached on an error leading off for the Riverside in the top of the second inning before Caden Cavazos struck out. Thatcher Durham struck out then Mason Stone's ground ball forced Mann at second base for out number three.
The Bears went three up and three down in the bottom half as McClure struck out the side to keep the game scoreless.
The top of third inning saw Smith strikeout and Timms ground out before McClure drew a walk. Gillis flew out for the third out leaving McClure at first base.
Woodlawn loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning before McClure got a strikeout and a fly out to get out of the inning.
The Rebels went three up and three down in the top of the fourth inning as Emery struck out, Mann flew out and Cavazos struck out.
The Bears got their lead-off batter on before McClure retired the next three batters to leave the runner stranded as the game stayed scoreless.
The Rebels went down in order in the top of the fifth inning as Durham flew out, Stone popped out and Smith grounded out.
Woodlawn got a two-out walk in the bottom half before McClure struck out the next batter to end the inning.
Timms flew out for the first out in the top of the sixth inning before McClure singled. Gillis flew out as Emery coaxed a walk putting runners on first and second. Jessie Schoolfield struck out leaving the runners on base. A lead-off triple in the bottom of the inning led to a run on a two-out single to make it 1-0 Bears after six innings of play.
Durham grounded out leading off the top of the seventh inning for Riverside before Stone drew a walk. Smith's fielder's choice grounder forced Stone at second base before Timms walked. McClure grounded out to first base for the third out giving Woodlawn the 1-0 win.
“It was a great baseball game. McClure was dominant on the mound as he just kept making huge pitch after huge pitch,” Riverside head coach Ben Hogard said. “We had several opportunities to push a run across and they (Woodlawn) continued to make excellent defensive plays. We will be back. We just have to keep getting better until we break through,” Hogard added. “We have two seniors, Jordan Poe and Jessie Schoolfield. They have both been outstanding teammates and will help us by setting the standard of being extremely hard workers and great people,” Hogard said.
McClure had the only hit on the day for Riverside and also took the loss on the bump for the Rebels with six innings of work giving up one run on three hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts.
The Rebels opened tournament play with a 6-1 win over Poyen. Smith led the Rebels with two hits, a run scored and two RBI while Gillis had two hits and a RBI. McClure scored two runs and Mann, Durham and Stone each scored a run. Gillis got the win going six innings giving up one run, on five hits, with six walks and 11 strikeouts. Smith tossed one inning with a walk and two strikeouts for Riverside.