Friday, June 7, 1996

Graham Steers beat Mineola in semi-finals

By OLIN BUCHANAN
Special Writer

AUSTIN - Graham pounded out nine basehits against two Mineola pitchers, but its hitters did more damage with the bats on their shoulders.

The Steers (22-9) waited out 10 bases on balls and a hit batter and used the gifts to post a 10-0 five-inning victory over Mineola (28-5) Thursday in the Class 3A state baseball tournament semifinals at Nelson Field.

Graham, which lost in last year's state semifinals, advances to today's final to take on Crockett at 4:30 p.m. at Disch-Falk Field.

"I heard (Mineola's Russell Bowker) was a tremendous pitcher," Graham coach Glenn Cunningham said. "We expected him to be all around the plate. We did not expect him to be wild. The strike zone was tight, so we had the kids take a few pitches and look at some. I think that was the difference in the game."

Indeed. Three of the walks Mineola pitchers surrendered were with the bases loaded.

The control problems hit the Yellowjackets immediately. Bowker (13-1) walked four and gave up a double to Kyle Jones - the Steers' only extra-base hit - in the first inning for a quick 2-0 lead.

Three consecutive walks opened the way for a four-run rally in the fourth, and Brett Belf worked a bases-loaded walk off reliever Tim Baker to drive in the game-ending 10th run in the fifth.

Graham pitcher Ryan Dollar (11-1) had no problem with the tight strike zone. He walked only three and hit one batter, while twirling a three-hit shutout.

Dollar struck out only two, but made five put-outs, four on assists from Belf at first base, and was in on eight outs, more than half needed to complete five innings.

"I was trying to throw strikes," Dollar said. "The umpire had a tight strike zone. I was just trying to let them hit it and put it in play. It was tough. Some umpires have a tight strike zone, but you have to do the best you can."

Dollar's best was more than good enough. Only twice did a Mineola runner reach third base and both times it was with two out.

And he never allowed more than one hit in an inning.