The Sod Poodles were victorious over the Tulsa Drillers in walk-off fashion Sunday night by a final score of 2-1 in front of HODGETOWN's biggest crowd to date, totaling 7,329 fans. With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Taylor Kohlwey hit a sharp ground ball in between first and second base, forcing a close play at the plate but allowing a sliding Owen Miller to score the winning run for the Soddies.
The victory improves the Sod Poodles record to a 33-34 with just one game left in the first half and moves them within a half-game of first place in the South division. Amarillo will need a victory tomorrow night as well as a Midland loss for the Soddies to claim the Texas League South division in the first half. The first half division winners automatically receive a post-season bid in the 2019 playoffs.
Amarillo starter Jesse Scholtens was brilliant Sunday night as he tossed six innings while allowing just one run on six hits. Scholtens walked three and struck out five Tulsa batters in 102 pitches, getting a no-decision.
Dauris Valdez followed Scholtens and threw a one-hit inning while striking out two Tulsa batters. Michel Baez entered the contest in the eighth and went two innings where he struck out three and only allowed one hit. Baez eventually earned the win marking his second of the season.
Tulsa jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Cody Thomas roped an RBI double to right field which scored Gavin Lux.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Sod Poodles would threaten but left the bases loaded after Ruddy Giron grounded out to shortstop on a full count. Tulsa retained the 1-0 advantage as they entered the fifth inning.
However, in the bottom of the fifth, Edward Olivares came up big and tied the ballgame up at 1-1 on a clutch base hit that scored Ivan Castillo, who sparked the rally on his two-out double.
The pitcher's duel continued, spanning three more innings. Then, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Miller started the half with a leadoff single to right field. Luis Torrens followed and popped out to the catcher in foul territory against the backstop netting which allowed Miller to tag and stretch to second base to get into scoring position. After an intentional walk to Kyle Overstreet to give Amarillo two baserunners with one out in the inning, Kohlwey stepped up and batted a ball to the right side of the infield between first and second which allowed Miller to score on a do-or-die play at the plate to give the Sod Poodles the walk-off 2-1 victory.
The Amarillo Sod Poodles head to Northwest Arkansas Monday as they wrap up the first half of the season. First pitch in game one Monday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Springdale, Arkansas.
-Amarillo Sod Poodles
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