Hounds Punch Playoff Ticket

MIDLAND, TX - The RockHounds capitalized on four Hooks errors and used a pair of big innings to beat Corpus Christi 10-1 Thursday night at Security Bank Ballpark.

The result guarantees Midland (41-18, 76-53) a postseason berth, setting the stage for a Hooks-Hounds Texas League South Division Series. The West Texas Bombers have won 30 of their last 41 games.

Matt Olson reached on a Chan-Jong Moon miscue to begin the second. Renato Nunez was next and hit an 0-2 pitch from Kyle Westwood down the left-field line for a double and a 1-0 Midland lead. Two-baggers by Wade Kirkland and Colin Walsh followed and complimented Jaycob Brugman and Anthony Aliotti RBI singles, completing a five-run frame.

Moon's two-base throwing error rendered a RockHound run in the third. Brugman cashed in with a single to right, chasing home Nunez for a 6-0 edge.

Of the six runs charged to Westwood (9-7), two were earned. Aaron West entered in the fifth and hurled a pair of scoreless innings.

Dillon Overton (4-2) earned the victory with five shutout frames. The lefty held Corpus Christi (32-27, 80-49) to three hits and three walks.

The Hooks' lone tally came in the sixth against Andres Avila. Singles by Jack Mayfield and Leo Heras began the inning. Conrad Gregor netted his 65th RBI with a sac fly to right field.

The Hounds iced the contest with a four-run seventh. Reymin Guduan surrendered five hits, including doubles by Aliotti and Brugman, which bookended the barrage.

Tyler Brunnemann relieved Guduan and induced the final out, stranding a pair in scoring position. Brunnemann pitched a scoreless eighth to finish the game.

Corpus Christi shoots for a series split Friday night. Parker Frazier (4-1, 1.91) will be opposed by 19-year-old Francis Marte, making his Hooks debut.