Matijevic's Magic Gives Hooks Walk-Off Winner

CORPUS CHRISTI - J.J. Matijevic launched a two-run walk-off home run in the 10th inning to complete a Hooks comeback to win 10-8 Tuesday in the series opener against the Arkansas Travelers at Whataburger Field.

Matijevic's blast (2) came on a 2-1 pitch that smacked off the batter's eye in center field against Michael Stryffeler.

The wild contest was sent to extras thanks to a game-tying two-run blast by Chandler Taylor (2) in the eighth inning.

But perhaps the most notable swing of the night came from top Houston Astros prospect Pedro León, who hit a towering grand slam (2) in the fifth inning that drew the game from a 6-1 Travelers lead to a one-run deficit.

‼️ PEDRO LEÓN GRAND SLAM ‼️

The top @astros prospect with an absolute TANK that clears the bullpen – and the bases!! pic.twitter.com/qXpYUWj33B

— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) May 19, 2021

Arkansas jumped out to their lead with a pair of two-run shots from Brian O'Keefe and Joe Rizzo off Parker Mushinski and Chad Donato, respectively.

Layne Henderson (W, 1-0) shut the Travs down in the ninth and 10th, fanning four without allowing a run. He also recorded a crucial out in extras, picking off the automatic runner at second with two on and nobody out. Henderson went on to strike out the next two batters.

The two sides meet again Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. with J.P. France (1-1, 3.72) scheduled for the Hooks against Adam Hill (0-0, 3.86).