SEGUIN, TX- The Seguin River Monsters kicked off their second season in the Texas Collegiate League in front of a filled Smokey Joe Williams Field on Tuesday with a 7-6 walk off win versus the Brazos Valley Bombers.
Outfielder Kyle Atkinson, a sophomore from Texas State University, hustled down the first baseline and beat out an infield single to drive home Connor Kaiser, a junior from Lamar University. Atkinson finished 3-6 with an RBI, a stolen base and also had an outfield assist from center field to hose a runner at third base. After a textbook sac bunt from freshman infielder Adrian Guerreo Jr. from North Central Texas College, Kaiser drove home catcher Logan Stockon, a junior from Shorter University, to tie the game. Kaiser then swiped 3rd base to get into position to score on the Atkinson infield hit.
It was infielder Preston Freeman, a freshman from UTSA, playing third base on opening night for Seguin, who started off the action for the River Monsters in the first. His 2-RBI single drove in Jesse Herrera, a sophomore utility player for New Mexico Junior College, and Hector Rodriguez, a sophomore shortstop heading to UTSA.
Freeman also helped keep the River Monsters alive, driving home Herrera in the bottom of the 9th to tie things up at 5. Herrera was hit by a pitch to start off the 9th inning rally for Seguin and a single by Rodriguez put Herrera in scoring position. Freeman finished with 2 hits, 3 RBI and played great defense at the hot corner.
The River Monsters used a staff effort Tuesday night to earn the win. Junior Daniel Garza from UTSA started the opener for Seguin and quickly settled in after a first inning run to hold the Bombers scoreless through the next two innings. Garza fanned five through 3 innings. Junior Ryan Calvert from Cumberland University and freshman Issac Herrera from Western Texas College delivered two scoreless innings in relief. Herrera struck out three. Freshman Colton Graham came on to pitch the 10th for the River Monsters, holding the Bombers to just one, allowing only the extra inning runner on second to score and earning the win in his debut.
Catcher Logan Stockton threw out two runners on the bath path in the game.
The River Monsters and Bombers are back at again tonight, this time in Bryan, Tx for the Brazos Valley home opener. First pitch is set for 7:05. Tune in to TCL TV on Vewbie to watch all Texas Collegiate League action.