Last Tuesday, May 1, we travelled to Clifton for a practice game. It had no bearing on our standings or what was set for us in the playoff situation. We hit the ball well against some quality pitching and held an extremely good hitting team in check for about half of the game. We treated it like a scrimmage and limited pitch counts and got everyone in offensively and defensively. We ended up losing the game 4-14, but saw some good things out of key personnel. The experience against a different opponent in a different part of Texas was also worth the trip.Then on Friday, May 4, we had our Bi-District round set up against Eastland in Eastland at 5:00, and to play another game that night. After Kelan Verette made a super catch to track down a hard hit ball in the right-center gap, the top of the second inning saw the Dillo’s first run. The guy who makes the great play, Verette, leads off and gets on base by hitting a ground ball to third. He then stole second and Issac Jimenez moved him to third with a ground ball to first, moving Verette to third. JT Mathis got hit by a pitch and Tanner Weyerts hit a ground ball to short. The fielder’s choice got Mathis out at second, but Verette scored because the throw to first was not in time. Weyerts was forced at second on the next play to end the inning.Pannell was pitching for the Armadillos and doing a fine job. He kept the Mavericks scoreless in the first three innings and only gave up one walk, three hits, and one on by error. Then the entire plan changing craziness set in. Storms moved in from the north and the lightning began to flash. The game was delayed and the 30-minute timer started over with each new bolt of lightning. No rain had fallen yet. Then the fire department recommended that everyone seek shelter from severe rain, hail, and even possible tornados. After about an hour and a half, too much rain had fallen to play in Eastland. Other dry places were more than 2 hours away. Three innings was not a complete game (it takes five), so the game had to be played the next day. UIL rules state that two games can be played in one 24 hour period, but not three…so the best of three series is now cut down to one game, resuming in the top of the fourth inning with the Dillos up 1-0. The neutral dry field to host the game would be in Bangs, TX.Saturday, we resumed at 1:00. San Saba started the scoring again when Issac Jimenez drew a walk, JT Mathis singled him around to third and took second on the throw, and Jimenez eventually scored on a passed ball. This increased the lead to 2-0. In the fourth, we got two more runs on some wild throws and errors by the Eastland defense. Verette put a bunt into play and overthrows at first and third eventually allowed Clayton Perry and Luke Cox to score.In the bottom half, the Mavericks scored two of their own runs with a couple of walks and a couple of hits. Then in the bottom of the sixth, with the bases loaded and two out, an Eastland batter hit a hard line drive over the head of our centerfielder for a bases clearing double. Three more runs now gave Eastland a 5-4 advantage. Ryan Guidroz came in to pitch and got the next batter to fly out to the outfield to end the inning. San Saba would need one more run just to continue the game.We had the top of our lineup coming to bat and a chance to make something happen. Zack Davis drew a walk on six pitches. We then tried to get him to steal second, but was thrown out on a perfect throw by the opposing catcher. After a strikeout, we were now down to our final out. Luke Cox drew a walk to keep the game alive. Once at first, Cox took his lead off the base a little larger than normal. He prompted a pick off attempt from the pitcher who threw higher than the first-baseman could reach. Cox hurriedly got up and advanced to second, then on to third by the time the Eastland fielders could get it back in. Ryan Pannell was at the plate and he also drew a walk to keep the rally going. Verette stepped in to bat. He watched the first three pitches for balls. Then took a strike and fouled one off. Now down to our last strike, Verette fought off a curve and put a soft liner in play out toward the shortstop. It landed in a spot where everyone was safe and the Armadillos had tied the game at five all.Guidroz continued to pitch well and handled the Maverick hitters in the bottom of the seventh. In the top of the eighth, Mathis got on with a hit to the third base area. Josh Wright was brought in as a pinch hitter to sacrifice and bunt the go ahead run over to second. He had a great bunt which did help our team in a huge way. With one out, Russell Lowe hit a double into left center to score Mathis. Davis singled to left, then there was a strikeout, and Cox was hit by a pitch. This loaded the bases for Pannell. He hit an 0-1 pitch hard and slicing to the rightfielder, who couldn’t decide how to field it. The ball dropped and kicked over the fielder’s head and three more runs came in. Verette singled over the shortstop’s head to plate Pannell and make the score 10-5, Dillos.Guidroz took the mound with a comfortable lead but still allowed a couple of batters on by walks. After some questioning of balls and strikes, he settled down and got three batters out by strikeout, infield fly to first, and a pop-up to second to end the game. San Saba defeated Eastland 10-5 in eight innings and advances on to the Area round of the playoffs.Our opponent in the Area round will be the Wall Hawks, who are first place out of District 7 AA with a 20-3 record and 10-0 in district. We will be playing Game 1 in Harper at 7:00pm and Game 2 will be at 2:00 on Saturday with a third game to follow, if needed. Ticket prices will be $5 for adults, $3 for students and passes will be honored. Please check with the San Saba High School office (372-3786) and KBAL Radio (372-5225) if you need more information. The radio station will be airing the games through the waves and on the internet. Thank you again to everyone supporting, listening, and travelling with the Dillos. We look forward to seeing everyone in Harper. Never give up! Go Dillos!!!