The San Saba High School varsity baseball team was in action this past week for two non-district games as the Dillos traveled on March 8 to play Cisco High School and hosted rival Goldthwaite High school on March 12 for a Saturday afternoon contest.
San Saba Dillos 5, Cisco Loboes 6
Despite falling into a quick 3-0 deficit to Cisco in the bottom of the first inning, the Dillos would gradually fight back in what turned out to be a very hard-fought game.
After San Saba scored two runs in the top of the third inning, the Dillos took the lead in the top of the fifth inning and then added one more run in the sixth inning to sit on top at 5-3. Sadly for the Dillos, the host Loboes would score one run in the sixth inning and come back with two runs in the bottom of the seventh for a walk-off winner at 6-5.
In the loss, San Saba got two runs driven in each from sophomore Lane King and freshman Winton Lackey. Senior standout Weston Oliver had a team-high three hits at the plate and pitched in relief for the Dillos with seven strikeouts in a solid 4.0 innings of work on the mound.
San Saba Dillos 10, Goldthwaite Eagles 0
San Saba responded to its tough loss on the road and was able to get right back in the win column on Saturday afternoon with a dominant 10-0 shutout victory at home vs. Goldthwaite.
The Dillos jumped out to an early lead in the first inning and never looked back against the Eagles as they were able to win via the 10-run mercy rule after Goldthwaite batted in the top of the fifth inning. San Saba scored five runs in the first, two more in the second, once in the third, and two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With the bases loaded in the first inning, junior Lance Taylor cleared the bases with a triple that got the Dillos out to a quick 3-0 lead that set the tone for the rest of the game.
Offensively, the Dillos got a great 3-for-3 day at the plate from senior Wesley Lackey that saw him drive in two runs. Oliver also had three hits, including a solo home run with no outs in the bottom of the fourth inning that extended the San Saba lead to 9-0. As a team, San Saba was able to fully capitalize on a whopping seven errors committed in the field by Goldthwaite.
On the mound, Oliver had a fantastic outing with another 4.0 innings pitched and eight strikeouts. He walked just two Eagle batters and allowed only one hit as the Dillos would go on to win in shutout fashion over their rivals.
With a 4-4 overall record so far through eight games, the promising Dillos have already matched their win total from the 2021 varsity baseball squad in which they finished with a 4-20-1 record.
Once the Dillos host the ISBL Austin Waves this Tuesday and Thursday for a pair of non-district games, San Saba will begin District 29-2A play at 5 p.m. on March 22 at home vs. Center Point High School.
Be sure to check out next week’s edition of the San Saba News & Star for more updates on Dillos and Lady Dillos varsity athletics. Sports editor Andrew Salmi can be contacted via email at salmi.courier@ gmail.com or by cell phone at (818) 645-1115.