Michael Clapperton started the Lone Star Conference season opener in a big way for UT Permian Basin Baseball. He drove in three runs on three hits including a clutch double to right center in the five run fifth inning for the Falcons.
Parker Buys made his Falcon debut on the mound by not allowing a hit and only one baserunner threw his first three innings.
The Falcons got on the board first as
Marcus Johnson scored on an error in the fourth. After the Dustdevils scored a pair of runs in the bottom part of the frame and one in the fifth the Falcons answered back in a big way.
A five-run sixth inning gave them the lead.
Garret Thornton started the inning with a home run to left center field to cut the Dustdevil lead to one. Clapperton then hit his double to right center scoring
Gabriel Morin and Johnson to take a 4-3 lead. The Falcons didn't stop there.
Gabriel Melendez singled to left scoring Clapperton and Melendez touched home later in the inning to give the Falcons a 6-3 lead.
In the following inning, Clapperton singled to left scoring Johnson to add insurance as the Falcons led 7-3 in the middle of the seventh.
The Dustdevils added a couple of more runs in the ninth to make it close, but the Falcons still prevailed and won the game 7-5.
Michael Clapperton and
Marcus Johnson each had three hits as both had a double. Johnson scored three times and Clapperton batted in three runs.
Oswaldo Godina added a double and a pair of walks.
Clay Thompson struck out four Dustdevils and got the win in relief while
Trey Penny pitched 2.1 innings in relief of Thompson.
Austin Parks picked up the save pitching the final two outs of the game.
The Falcons will be back tomorrow as they will play two seven inning games against the Dustdevils. Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the Falcons all season long.
