The Highlanders, 10-1 on the season, had tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on Paul Goldschmidt's two-run home run into the Crawford Boxes. The homers were the first of the season for the two players.
Steven Maxwell was strong on the hill for the Highlanders, going all seven innings and allowing just five hits, while striking out four and walking four in improving to 3-0 on the season. Andrew Zizinia was the hard-luck losing pitcher, falling to 0-2-1 after going 6 1/3 innings and allowing six hits, while striking out six and walking two. Bellaire fell to 9-2-1 on the season.
The Woodlands now advances to the tournament semifinals tonight at 7 at Minute Maid Park. The Highlanders' opponent will be Humble, which defeated Elkins in another opening-round game on Thursday.
The Highlanders fell behind 2-0 in the second inning. After Sean Lamont started things off with a single to right for the Cardinals, he was picked off, with catcher Mickey Armstrong firing to first baseman Kyle Drabek, who threw to shortstop Tim Schneider, who then threw it back to Drabek, who put the tag on the runner. Matt West then drew a walk and stole second, with Justin Shufelt then reaching on a base on balls. Nick Willis' single to right plated the first run, with Daniel Weingarten's bunt scoring another, as the throw home wasn't in time. Adam Weingarten then singled to load the bases for Michael Johnson. At this point, the Highlanders came up with a key defensive play, as Johnson's grounded to Schneider was fired to Smith at second, who then rifled the ball to Drabek at first for the inning-ending and rally-killing double-play.
In the bottom of the fourth, Drabek reached on an infield single and came home on Goldschmidt's blast.
In the bottom of the seventh, Schneider singled to center, with Smith then delivering his one-out, walk-off homer that sent the Highlanders and their faithful into celebration.
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