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May 28, 2005, 11:17PM Drabek, Woodlands run into a RockwallHighlanders lose Region II-5A series despite gem by aceBy EMILY DAVISCopyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
KILGORE - With The Woodlands ace Kyle Drabek on the mound for Game 2 of the Class 5A Region II semifinals at Driller Park on Saturday, Rockwall wasn't likely to get many chances to take control of the game.
One wild pitch was all the Yellowjackets got. And that's all they needed in topping The Woodlands 2-1 to sweep the best-of-three series. Designated hitter Cade Baxter scored on Drabek's errant pitch that soared past Highlanders catcher Mickey Armstrong in the bottom of the second inning. "We knew we were either going to have to get on Drabek early when he was throwing his fastballs or late when he ran out of steam," Rockwall coach Randy Talley said. "And he didn't run out of steam. We were really fortunate to get that wild pitch and score."
Rough startDrabek had a rocky start to Saturday's game. After striking out the first batter he faced, Drabek gave up a double to Roger Kieschnick, who scored on Derek VanHagen's single to center to tie the game at 1."They started out with a few good hits off of me," Drabek said. "I didn't feel like I was pitching a good game at all." But after giving up two more hits in the second inning — back-to-back singles to Baxter and Dustin Schneider — Drabek didn't allow another hit. Still, he walked Rockwall pitcher Travis Moseley to load the bases in the second, and his wild pitch to Joe Leal gave Baxter the opportunity to provide the Yellowjackets (29-7) with a one-run lead they would not relinquish. "It's just bizarre, that's all I can say," Talley said. "With the quality of team they are, to be able to sweep them in the regional semifinals is really amazing. "That's not to take anything away from our team. We worked so hard to get where we are, but it took a mistake on their part for us to get there in two games."
First loss of yearDrabek didn't make another mistake. The junior fanned seven batters through the final four innings and finished the game with 11 strikeouts. But it wasn't enough to get his 12th win of the season or preserve his perfect record. He finished the year 11-1.The Woodlands (28-6) managed at least one hit in all but two innings, but the Highlanders could muster just one run. Wayne Hrozek singled in the first and quickly stole second. After a Drabek groundout to short, senior Kyle Walker followed with a single to left, and Hrozek sprinted home to put The Woodlands up 1-0. Despite doubles from Paul Goldschmidt (fourth inning) and Brice Ary (fifth), the Highlanders couldn't get on the board again. "We were getting big hits that were going far," Drabek said. "But each time we'd get someone on base, we'd hit one out there and they'd be on it. Their defense was a big part of this game." Rockwall's pitching wasn't half bad, either. Moseley improved to 7-2 with the complete game. He struck out only three but induced 11 groundouts and walked just one. With their victory, the Yellowjackets face Klein Collins in this week's regional finals. "It was outstanding pitching efforts from both sides," The Woodlands coach Ron Eastman said. "The key to this game was their pitching. And their defense was there to help make the plays. "I figured if they were going to take this series from us it was going to only be by one or two runs. They are so similar to us. A lot of credit goes to them for a strong effort."
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