A baseball team’s offensive prowess can win baseball games but, more times than not, a baseball team’s pitching is the great equalizer, especially when the bats aren’t hot. The Coppell baseball team has been doing just that, riding its pitchers and defense to eliminate opposing threats. 

Despite a cold offensive night for the Cowboys, Coppell junior pitcher TJ Pompey came with fire as the Cowboys defeated Plano East, 3-0, last night at Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex.

“TJ put the team on his shoulders for at least the first five innings of this game,” Coppell coach Ryan Howard said. “He didn’t really give Plano East any life and he suffocated them. It was good to see and it was just what we needed with our offense struggling [last night] and I am glad that we were able to score late to make sure to capitalize on his performance.”

Pompey gave up a single to senior center fielder Dasan Harris, Plano East’s leadoff hitter, in the top of the first but a double play from the Cowboys and an induced ground out ended the inning. 

In the top of the fourth, Harris hit a hard ground ball and reached first on senior third baseman Walker Polk’s error. 

Pompey walked, stole second and advanced to third base on a passed ball in the bottom of the fourth, allowing senior left fielder Andrew Nester to drive him in with a single to center field and give Coppell a one-run lead.

In the top of the sixth, Pompey struck out all three Plano East batters in a highlight inning for his pitching. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Nester singled on a hard ground ball to left field. Senior catcher Bradley Castillo advanced Nester to second base on a sacrifice bunt, allowing Polk to drive Nester in by doubling on a line drive to center field. Senior designated hitter Landry Fee then singled on a line drive to center field, advancing Polk to third. 

Senior courtesy runner Charlie Barker, in for Fee, attempted to steal second and a fielding error allowed him to reach second with Polk scoring on the same play. Two subsequent errors ended the inning for the Cowboys as they grew their lead to 3-0.

“I am happy we got the timely hitting but we have to start putting the ball in play earlier in games and have better at-bats earlier in games,” Howard. “It’s nice to be able to struggle offensively and still walk away with a win.”

Pompey gave up another single to Harris but induced a strikeout, fly out and ground out to end the game. 

Pompey threw 80 pitches with a 70% strike percentage, striking out nine, allowing two hits and surrendering no balls or runs. 

“I feel good,” Pompey said. “I feel like my command was good and, because I felt good, I knew that I could strike any one out.”

Plano East sophomore pitcher Brayden Bergman threw 93 pitches with 57% strike percentage, surrendering three runs, allowing four hits, walking three and striking out six. 

The Cowboys travel to Plano East on Friday with first pitch at 7:30 p.m.

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