Michie’s shutout completes sweep
Ryan Michie wasn’t nervous when the tying run was on third base for Clear Falls in the bottom of the seventh inning Saturday.
Kingwood‘a lefthander just wanted to continue to focus on throwing strikes and ending the game for his teammates.
“I had a lot of confidence in my defense,” Michie said. “I know that when I look behind me after a hit that my guys are going to make a play for me so that I can keep pitching. I believe in my teammates when I’m out on the mound.”
Michie pitched a four-hitter with five strikeouts as Kingwood defeated Clear Falls 1-0 to sweep the Knights in a Class 6A area round series at David Sitton Field in Humble.
Kingwood will advance to the regional quarterfinals for the second straight season. The Mustangs will play either District 22-6A foe Dobie or Dickinson in the regional quarterfinals.
Michie retired 13 Knights in a row during one stretch.
“When you’re in that groove, you just have a lot of confidence,” Michie said. “Anything can happen when you’re on the mound. I just wanted to throw strikes for my team and get us in the dugout fast so that we could bat.”
Kingwood head coach Kelly Mead was pleased.
“He did exactly what we expected him to do,” Mead said. “I had a lot of confidence in him since last year and we knew that he could be something special this season for us. He’s a lefty that can throw strikes, and he listens to the coaching staff and does what we tell him to do. He was big on the bump for us today.”
Kingwood’s Masyn Winn hit a two out RBI single in the top of the third inning and it was the only run the Mustangs needed.
Tyler Malone kept Clear Falls close with eight strikeouts through seven innings.
The Mustangs have not allowed a run through four playoff games and have outscored opponents 27-0.
“The guys trust us in what we’re doing,” Mead said. “Coach (Michael) Oros has done a great job with the pitching staff and we just tell our guys to play good defense when our pitchers are out there. If we can get solid pitching and good defense we have a chance to win any game whoever we play.”