Late heroics have Creek in second place in 24-5A

LEAGUE CITY — Late-game heroics seem to have become common occurrences for the Clear Creek Wildcats this baseball season.

Against Clear Lake on Tuesday, Chris Morales hit a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Creek an 8-7 victory.

It was Creek’s third come-from-behind win in district play and kept the Wildcats in second place with seven games to go in the regular season.

“We always feel we are in a game, even if we are down late,” Morales said. “We keep talking to each other in the dugout and stay positive, no matter what. I think that’s helped us make these comeback.”

Creek (13-8, 6-1 district) doesn’t have a dominant pitcher this season unlike the past four years or so. As a result, the Wildcats have needed their offense to carry them.

It’s worked thus far. Among players who have made at least 40 plate appearances, Creek has six players hitting at least .300 — Morales (.514), Brad Solliday (.406), Reed Gordy (.359), Alex Fisher (.357), C.J. McElroy (.349) and Brandon Speth (.326). Solliday also is among the Houston area leaders with 29 RBIs, while Gordy has driven in 24.

“We’ve had some guys that have really stepped up at the plate,” Creek coach Jim Mallory said. “We’ve got guys that hit for power and guys with a lot of speed. It’s a good mix.”

The Wildcats are averaging 6.3 runs a game in district play and have scored fewer than seven runs just once (a 9-2 loss to Brazoswood).

They’ve needed every one of those runs lately though, with the bullpen struggling to hold onto leads. Creek ended the seventh inning up by four runs against Lake before giving up six to the Falcons.

Pitching also contributed to early deficits against Ball and Springs before the offense bailed them out.

Gordy admitted it is a bit frustrating to be behind in a lot of games, but it’s also helped with team unity.

“The way we look at it, we never should have to come from behind,” Gordy said. “But you know, those comebacks have been a morale booster. Knowing our offense, when we are down a few runs and no going up against a dominant pitcher, we feel pretty confident we are going to get it done.”

Creek could face a harder time scoring runs in the second half of district.

They have to face a trio of aces from Alvin, Ball and Springs that the Wildcats missed the first time through district.

They also will probably get to face Brazos-wood’s Tyler Green once more.

Gordy said the team will be prepared to face the flame-throwers in the coming weeks and doesn’t anticipate it will hurt Creek’s offensive production.

“Just sit on the fastball,” Gordy said.

“That’s the easiest pitch to hit. Our guys have the bat speed to catch up to those guys throwing hard. We won’t be blown away.”

Mallory said he hopes continued offensive production will allow the Creek pitching to round into form late in the season.

“Everything starts right there on the mound,” Mallory said.

“We’ve had a few injuries, but hopefully we are getting healthy for the stretch run.”

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Must-win Games?

A pair of county teams have big games tonight that could have huge playoff implications.

Ball High (13-9, 2-5) travels to face Lake (12-9, 3-4) at 7:30 p.m. today. The Tors beat Lake in the district opener but have just one game since.

If Ball is going to get back in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff spot from 24-5A, it has to beat Lake tonight.

In 24-4A, Friendswood (13-9, 6-2) plays host to Dawson (10-10, 5-3) at 7 p.m.

The Mustangs are currently tied atop the 24-4A standings, but Dawson is right behind.

Five teams are competing for four playoffs spots in the district right now, so a loss for Friendswood could put it on the outside of the playoff picture with five games to go.