Dragons win pitching showdown over district foe Houston
By Omar Al- Kotob
On Tax Day 2024, the Collierville Dragons beat the Houston Cougars 2-1, in district baseball action.
Both teams played well with the pitchers slugging it out from the mound with some offerings hitting 91 mph.
The Cougars scored the first run. However, the Dragons and third baseman Cael Allen came to bat knowing what was coming his way across the plate.
“I knew he was gonna come with a first-pitch fastball, be aggressive with runners on base, I got my foot down early and attacked it. I got it to the in-field, scoring the tying run. It felt great, it’s a great feeling.”
Collierville Head Coach Jeff Munier said it is a competitive contest, aggression might make the difference.
“Both pitchers were really dominant all through the game,” he said. “We were just able to find a way to scrape two runs in there at the end of the game.”
Dragons’ relief pitcher Bradley Stubbs came in and gave his team the opportunity to win, and Munier was really proud of his team.
“That was a big-time atmosphere, for a sophomore to come out on the mound, and pick up a big district save. You’re not gonna play in any bigger atmosphere. I’m really proud of our team for sticking with it, not getting down, and finding a way to win it.” Munier said.
The Dragons have worked hard all season to bring their game up, and relief pitcher Bradley Stubbs focused on fundamentals to give his team a chance to win.
“It’s a feeling like none other, having your work pay off, it’s just an unreal feeling,” Stubbs said. “That last pitch, I just went back to practice, like I was throwing to nobody, and struck him out.”
The Dragons had runners on base and a bunt brought AJ Green in for the winning score.
“After a bunt, it’s my job to score on anything on the ground, I got to beat it out from the infield,” Green noted. “I threw my helmet on the ground, jumped up and down with the guys, it was exhilarating.”
In the rematch a couple of days later, Collierville was able to achieve another one-run victory outlasting the Mustangs 5-4.
