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Steady relief pitching, sac fly in ninth help Rockwall sweep Klein Collins

MUMFORD, Texas — It took a little extra work on Memorial Day weekend, but the Rockwall Yellowjackets got what they wanted: a sweep of Klein Collins in a best-of-3 Class 5A Region II semifinal baseball series.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Rockwall’s Nick Lutzel hit a fly ball to center field deep enough to score pinch-runner Nick Colacecchi from third base and lift the Yellowjackets to a 3-2 victory Saturday at the Mumford Athletic Complex. Rockwall advanced to the regional final to play The Woodlands.

After Rockwall (33-7) won by run rule, 13-2, in the series opener Friday night, Klein Collins (27-11) put up a fight in the second game, tying the score at 2 in the top of the sixth. Rockwall hitters couldn’t do much against Klein Collins pitcher Lance Moszkowicz.

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But Rockwall relief pitcher Chris Glover steadily worked the sixth through ninth innings, allowing one unearned run. He gave up just two hits and a walk after the sixth.

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Glover got Jason Helms to strike out swinging to end the ninth, setting up Rockwall to clinch the series.

Rockwall’s Kendall Coleman walked on four pitches to lead off the ninth, and Carson Childers worked a full-count walk. Rockwall coach Jeff Payne inserted Colacecchi to run for Childers, the designated hitter.

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Garrett Moon singled to left to load the bases. After Coleman was forced out at home on a grounder, Lutzel came to the plate trying to keep up a perfect 3-for-3 afternoon.

“I just told him to stay back and don’t roll over and hit into a double play,” Payne said. “He hit the ball pretty well to center field.”

That was enough.

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Klein Collins center fielder Nick Carni caught it, but it scored Colacecchi, who was mobbed by teammates after crossing home plate.