Grapevine scored the game-winning runs on an error by Leander Rouse in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 2-1 win during the Class 5A state semifinals on Thursday at Dell Diamond from Round Rock.
After six scoreless innings by both teams, Rouse took 1-0 lead in the top of the seventh.
Following the first two outs, Rouse scored an unearned run after Grapevine committed a throwing error from third. Rouse was two outs away from the win in the bottom of the inning with a lead off fly out to center. Gianni Corral was hit by a pitch and Brady Boozer walked. Both runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch and Zackary Goldstein reached on a bunt single to load the bases.
Brenton Lee hit a pitch to shortstop and Rouse was ready to turn the game ending double play, but the throw from second to first was wide right and both runs scored for the walk off win. Starting pitcher Dasan Hill allowed no runs and two hits, and struck out 10 in six innings. Luke Schreyer got the win after pitching in the seventh and improved his season record to 11-2.
It’s Grapevine’s first state appearance since 2017 and third overall.
The Mustangs won in 2016 and finished second in 2017.
Grapevine (39-5) will face Lucas Lovejoy (30-7-2) in the 5A final at 12 pm Saturday.
Lovejoy, playing in its first state tournament in program history, blanked Magnolia West 4-0 in the first 5A semifinal on Thursday. Grant Harlan and Asher Lacy combined to throw a one-hit shutout.
Harlan pitched six innings and finished with five walks and three strikeouts.
Harlan improved to 10-1. Lacy got the save after a clean inning in the seventh.
Lovejoy jumped on Magnolia West quickly with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Corley led the inning with an infield single to second. Branch doubled down the left field line to put runners on second and third and no outs. Both runners scored when Hutchins reached on an error by first base.
Two batters later and Lacy singled through the left side and Hutchins scored to make it 3-0.
Lacy added an RBI sac fly in the third that plated Branch to extend the lead to 4-0.
