Defeating your biggest rival in anything as Legacy did on Thursday when it downed district and crosstown foe Midland 3-1 is always a good thing.
For one of the victor’s players to put on a memorable performance is just a bonus.
And star Legacy hurler Chase Shores did just that.
The 6-foot-8-inch, 240-pound right-handed LSU signee delivered a master class on the mound in front of a crowd that included MLB scouts.
Despite the attention and the playoff-like atmosphere, Shores treated it like it was just another game, fanning nine while giving up a run through 5 1/3 innings, according to the Midland Report-Telegram.
“He was dialed in," Legacy head coach Eric Garcia told the publication. "I don’t know if I’ve seen him that dialed in even last year at any time. He was up for that game, threw a lot of strikes. He lost a little (velocity) there toward the end, he hadn’t gone that far into a game yet, into the sixth inning this year. We’ve got to work on the stamina part of it. That’s what we expect out of him on the mound.”
At one point during the game, Shores sent seven consecutive Bulldogs back to their dugout.
The Midland Reporter-Telegram reported that his fastest pitch was registered at 97 mph.
While Shores is known for his prowess on the mound, he was responsible for the Rebels' first run when his double sent home Raymond Vasquez.
Legacy prevailed on a comedy of errors by Midland in the bottom of the sixth inning, the publication reported.
Drew Martin and Alex Melendez scored as a result of these errors to seal the victory for the Rebels, who are currently undefeated.