The surging Houston baseball team is slowing as the postseason arrives.
After sophomore Alex Castleman homered and drove in four runs for the second straight game as the Tigers won their third straight and for the 11th time in 13 outings, they lost back-to-back contests as the season winds down. HHS was no-hit in a 11-0 defeat Friday to Plato and Monday was edged 4-3 as Salem escaped with a walk-off victory.
HHS finished its regular season Tuesday at Mansfield. The Tigers play again Tuesday in the district semifinals.
On Friday, Houston honored its three seniors – Groff, Brecken Adey and Michael Sutton – following an 11-0 shutout against Plato. It was the team’s regular-season home finale.
Jackson took the loss. He gave up seven hits and six runs – three earned – in four innings. He struck out seven and walked six.
Monday at Salem, the Tigers couldn’t hang onto 1-0 and 3-2 advantages as they lost their second South Central Association game. HHS finished 5-2 in the conference.
Cody Allen, Castleman and Jackson had two hits apiece to lead the offense.
Salem used a leadoff walk, steal and one-out single to score the game-winning run against Koch, who worked the final 3 1/3 innings in relief. He surrendered just two hits and the single run while fanning six and walking one.
BOX SCORES
Monday’s game
| Houston | 102 | 000 | 0 | – | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Salem | 201 | 000 | 1 | – | 4 | 7 | 0 |
Hits: Cody Allen 2, Alex Castleman 2, Sterling Jackson 2, Braedin Groff.
Losing pitcher: Jacob Koch.
Friday’s game
| Plato | 001 | 413 | 2 | – | 11 | 8 | 0 |
| Houston | 000 | 000 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Hits: None.
Losing pitcher: Sterling Jackson.
IMAGES FROM FRIDAY’S GAME