Dragons Sweep SA Central With Late-Inning Heroics

AUSTIN – The Carroll Dragon baseball team delivered plenty of drama last weekend in Austin.

The Dragons (30-4) earned a Class 5A Region I area sweep against San Angelo Central with back-to-back victories in the seventh inning.  Carroll, ranked No. 7 in the nation by Baseball America, advance to faces Midland in regional quarterfinals later this week.

After more than a two-hour rain delay Friday night, the Dragons rallied from a 4-3 deficit behind a three-run home run from Chris Altimont in the top of the seventh to win 6-4. Pitcher Tyler Alexander, a TCU signee, went all seven innings and had 14 strikeouts to earn the victory. Central held a 3-0 after two innings and 4-3 after three innings.

In Game 2, the Dragons completed the sweep with a 2-1 victory. Central scored the tying run in the top of the seventh on a hit batter. In the bottom of the seventh the Dragons rallied behind a game-winning double by shortstop/pitcher Joe Heineman. The walk-off hit scored Ryan Weigel from first. Starter Ben Leeper went six and two-third innings and had nine strikeouts.

Carroll is now 4-0 in the playoffs. Midland is coming off eliminating Richland in three games. The series will be played at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and begins Friday.

Carroll (30-4) vs. Midland (29-7) – Class 5A Region I Quarterfinal Series
Game 1: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Hardin-Simmons University, Abliene
Game 2: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Hardin-Simmons
Game 3: (if necessary) 30 minutes following Game 2

Follow pitch-by-pitch: Gamechanger
Live audio webcast: Carroll Dragon Baseball
Internet radio: Texas Sports Radio Network
Follow updates on Twitter: @Carrollisd