HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Bronchos use defensive focus to defeat Midland High

MIDLAND In a close baseball game, defense can make the ultimate difference in how things will pan out.

The Odessa High baseball team proved that in a 3-1 victory over Midland High in Tournament of Champions play Thursday at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

It was also the District 2-6A opener for both teams.

Odessa High baseball coach Josh Hulin said his players need to stay levelheaded after the win because they have a long stretch of district contests ahead of them.

“We play 18 district games and 1-17 doesn’t get you into the playoffs,” Hulin said. “We’re happy to win this one but we’ve got to pretty quickly turn the page to the next one.”

The Bronchos had some work to do after the first inning, where they left two runners on and fell behind by a run in the bottom of the frame.

Michael Lujan gave Midland High its first lead with an RBI single to right field, scoring Dax Patton.

Although Odessa High didn’t have the quickest start at the plate, the Bronchos cleaned things up with two hits in the top of the second, tying the game when Joeluis Charles singled to center field and Jayven Gonzales scored after advancing on a throw to home plate.

The Bronchos were able to take control of the game’s early portion by staying focused on defense and shutting down opportunities when Midland High put runners on base.

After taking the lead with an RBI double from Jairo Guerrero in the third inning, Odessa High held the Bulldogs to two hits after surrendering a pair to start the game.

Guerrero provided the spark for the Bronchos to close out the game, taking over pitching duties in the fifth and providing the insurance run for his team with an RBI double in the sixth.

Odessa High closed out the game with three fly outs, as Midland High left a runner on first.

Guerrero said it felt good seeing his team bring its practice habits into a game setting.

“We just hustle out there in practice, practice hard,” Guerrero said. “We practice how we play.”

Charles, Del Real and Guerrero each had one RBI to lead Odessa High.

Gonzalez and Guerrero were difference makers on the mound for the Bronchos, combining to strike out six Bulldogs in the victory.

Hulin said pitching and defense are usually main points of emphasis for his team, with offense being secondary.

He added that Gonzales looked comfortable pitching at a professional ballpark, while Guerrero brings a lot of experience as a veteran arm on the roster.

“I thought both of them showed a lot of poise,” Hulin said. “They did a good job for us.”

Odessa High (4-2-1 overall, 1-0 district) is scheduled to continue Tournament of Champions play with another District 2-6A showing against Abilene High at 7 p.m. Thursday at Christensen Stadium in Midland.

Hulin wants to see his team quickly shift its attention to avoid being caught up in its early victory.

“One game won’t get you in the playoffs, we’re kind of in this thing for the long haul,” Hulin said. “We’ve got a long term vision with this whole thing.

“We’ve got to turn the page really quick just like everybody else, you win one, you celebrate it for two minutes and then you move on to the next one.”

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