BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
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ARLINGTON – Senior pitcher Ryan Romolo tossed a two-hit shutout and struck out five batters as Grapevine Faith defeated Fort Worth Southwest Christian 1-0 during their TAPPS Division 2 state semifinal game on Monday at UT-Arlington’s Clay Gould Ballpark.
Faith (26-5) faces Houston Lutheran South (33-3-1) for the state championship at 10 am Tuesday back in Arlington.
SCS ends the year with a 23-10 record.
Romolo, who is a Harding signee, needed 102 pitches.
“I think everybody saw, even if you’re not a baseball fan, he’s a heck of a competitor,” Faith coach Robert Vaughn said. “He knows how to attack hitters and his toughness is a big part of who he is.”
Romolo and SCS pitcher James Lewis battled it out.
Faith had a man on in the top of the first inning and the Eagles put two on and no body out. But Romolo retired the order to end the threat on a sacrifice, strikeout and foul tip with the runners on second and third.
Connor Marley hit a lead off double, but couldn’t score in the top of the second inning. Romolo issued a one-out walk and then got a 6-4-3 double play to send the game into the third.
The Lions loaded the bases, but Lewis ended the inning to keep the game scoreless. Romolo gave up a two-out single but got a pop fly in foul ground to end the bottom of the third.
Luke Little was hit by a pitch to start the fourth.
Jace Walker hit a two-out double to drive in the only run.
Romolo retired the order in the fifth and sixth innings.
Jordan Steele hit a lead off single for the Eagles in the bottom of the seventh. Steele reached second on a sac bunt and Romolo hit the next batter to put runners on first and second.
Romolo induced their second 6-4-3 double play to end the game and start the celebration. Lewis finished with two hits allowed and three strikeouts in four innings of work. Alex Turman came on in relief and threw three scoreless inning with three hits and three strikeouts for SCS.
“Huge win for the program and it’s a big chance for us…we’re excited,” Romolo said.
