Miner's HR lifts Cats over Mavs

Things could not have looked more dooming Friday night at Wildcat Baseball Park between the Whitehouse Wildcats and the Marshall Mavericks.

Marshall had taken the lead in the top of the eighth with the score of 2-1 on an RBI single to left. Marshall would tr y to score the runner from second, but a throw from left fielder Banks Brandon to catcher Evan Beaton would gun down the runner from second base.

This third out gave Marshall a one run lead headed into the bottom of the eighth inning. Little did anyone know how big that one out at the plate would be.

The eighth inning would not start well for the Wildcats as Chase West and Banks Brandon would go down quickly for the first two outs of the inning.

Heath Mayo would then draw a walk from the lead-off position in the order, which would set the stage for Miner who would take a high 2-1 fastball deep to left-center for a walk-off 2-run homer to send Marshall home with a 3-2 defeat.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, that was about the only offensive highlight on the night as the 'Cats would strand 12 base runners on the night.

The Wildcats produced seven hits for the game, while Marshall only produced two hits off WH starter Grant Brandon.

Brandon would throw a gem in what was a "must-win" situation for the Wildcats to have any chance to claw their way back into the playoff picture.

He would pitch his way out of small jams in the second and fourth innings and would get the huge play from brother, Banks, in the eighth to keep things close.

"This was a huge win tonight. Grant threw a great game for us tonight, and I hope that Miner's hit will kick start a winning streak headed into the second half of district play," said Coach Danny Robey.

The Wildcats played in Nacogdoches on Tuesday night and play host to the Kilgore Bulldogs tomorrow night with game time at 6 p.m.