DH Sanchez drives in three runs in 10-1 win over McAllen Memorial

By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com

SAN ANTONIO – Designated hitter Andrew Sanchez’s big night at the plate on Friday have the Rouse Raiders (33-9-1) one game from reaching the state tournament for the second time in four years.

Sanchez went 3 for 4 with three runs batted in to lift Rouse to a 10-1 win over McAllen Memorial in Game 1 of a best-of-three Class 5A-Region IV championship series at North East Sports Park. Sanchez, Adrian Graves and Jacob Soliz combined for five of the Raiders’ 10 hits.

The Raiders can wrap up the series with a win in Game 2 on Saturday in Jourdanton. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Should Memorial win, Game 3 will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.

Memorial (26-15) got a run in the bottom of the first inning from a double by Emilio Preza. It was the only blemish on a brilliant performance by Rouse pitcher Gavin Silva, who allowed two hits and had eight strikeouts in five innings to get the win.

The Raiders’ offense came alive in a five-run third inning, which started with a two-run single by Sanchez. Two others came from bases-loaded walks, while Xander Forsell drove in Tyler Espinosa with a single.

Rouse added four in the fifth inning and another in the top of the sixth to secure the win.

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