Yoe controls Jarrell on the road

In Cameron’s first matchup with Jarrell, it took a late two-run rally in the seventh inning to pull out a district opening win.

On Monday night at Georgetown East View, it appeared as if things were headed in the same direction. The game was tied 1-1 heading to the fifth before Cameron created separation with three runs, followed up by a trio of runs in the final frame in a 7-1 win.

“Our guys got some timely hits when we needed them,” said Yoe head baseball coach John Broussard following the win. “We still have to work hard at our two-strike approach and putting the ball in play, but overall I was pretty excited and proud for our guys to get the win on the road and end up at 6-1.”

Jarrell plated their first and only run of the contest, scoring via an errant throw on a ground ball in the bottom of the second. The Yoemen quickly erased the deficit in the top half of the third as second baseman Bryce Welsh drove in catcher Alex Alonso.

Yoe starting pitcher Jason Llanas cruised the rest of the way, giving up just two hits in his 6.1 innings of work. The sophomore walked only two and struck out four Cougar batters.

“I was still trying to go out there and throw strikes,” said Llanas. “I have a good defense behind me, so I was trying to get ground balls and pop flies and let them make the plays and get back to hitting.”

The lone run was charged to the Yoe defense, which has been sure-handed as of late. “I thought our defense slacked a little tonight, but we got some big outs when we needed to,” said Broussard. “It was a team effort tonight.”

The table was set for senior and St. Edward’s commit Caden Harris in the third. Llanas had singled and Welsh doubled to put runners at second and third with nobody out. Harris took no time to bring both runners home, hitting a line drive triple to the center field wall.

“I’m just looking for a pitch to drive,” said Harris on his approach. “He threw a low strike, which i’ve always been able to put something good on, and I just took it where he put.” Before Harris’ hit, Cougar starting pitcher Forrest Bell had only given up three runs in 11 innings of work versus Cameron.

A Jordan Young triple, Bryce Brashear sacrifice fly, and Keaton Hundle triple brought in the three insurance runs in the seventh. The support was something Llanas welcomes with open arms.

“It helped out a lot,” said Llanas. “In a tight game, your mind is racing and there is so much on your back. As soon as your team starts scoring for you, you can ease off a little bit and be more comfortable when you’re pitching.”

Cameron was off this past Friday due to Hearne not having a baseball program. Other 20-3A district results from Tuesday: Rogers 2, Franklin 1; Rockdale 2, Academy 1.

20-3A Standings: 1. Rogers (7-0), 2. Cameron Yoe (6-1), 3. Franklin (4-3), 4. Academy (3-4), 5. Lexington (2-4), 6. Rockdale (2-5), 7. Jarrell (0-7).

Cameron will be on the road in a big district battle with Franklin on Friday, and will host Lexington on Tuesday.