Heuertz's Dominant Day Guides Wall to Blowout Win

WALL, TX-- Caleb Heuertz and Mitch Horton combined to throw a one hit gem to propel Wall to an 11-2 win over Ballinger on Friday.

“The way [Caleb] threw the ball today, I thought that was one of his best outings he’s had,” said Wall Head Coach Jason Schneirs. “He was able to mix up his off-speed with his fastball. He was in the zone more than what he had been lately. He had a little bit [more] behind [his pitches] it seemed. It’s good to see because he’ll tell you his last outing wasn’t what he expects of himself.”

The Hawks were able to jump out early on the Bearcats, unlike their first encounter, scoring seven runs across the first two frames to set the tone of the game.

“It definitely set the tone,” Schneirs said. “Jake Jansa’s bunt single kind of put a little pressure on [Ballinger] and it went from there. Anytime you build a lead like that it helps you play more relaxed.”

Colton Diebtisch, who pinch ran for Heuertz, was the first run to cross the plate for Wall thanks to a single by Dryden Virden. Jansa advanced home on an errant throw to try and catch Virden stealing second base.

Heuertz, helping his own cause, was the only Hawk to tally a home run on the windy day at Wall High School with a solo shot over the right-center fence in the third inning.

“He leads our team in home runs with that one,” Schneirs laughed. “He’s a little, bitty guy. Not real big, but he’s got a lot of pop in his bat. He took advantage of the wind blowing out, he hit the ball hard and it went.”

Heuertz went five-and-a-third innings deep for the Hawks before giving up the baseball. Along with the lone hit Ballinger scraped off him, the right-hander struck out a season-high 13 batter while giving up just two runs. He also finished 3-for-5 at the plate to go with his RBI and run scored on his home run.

The Hawk had a no-hitter in tact until Cody Daily took a 1-1 pitch to the right field glass for Ballinger’s only hit of the game.

Mitch Horton came on for Heuertz and threw one-and-two-thirds innings of hitless baseball where he struck out two and walked three.

The Hawks (18-4-1, 6-1) hold steady in their first place tie with Reagan County. Those two squads will face off on Monday at 4 p.m. in Wall for what is essentially the District 4-3A Title.

Ballinger (8-11-1, 4-3) sits in third place alone heading into their clash with TLCA in Ballinger on Monday. Ballinger can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Sonora loss.