Timmy Martinez Pitches Lufkin to 5-1 Win Over Carthage in Rose City Classic Opener

TYLER -- Timmy Martinez pitched a complete game, scattering six hits and holding Carthage scoreless for the contest's first six innings in a 5-1 Lufkin victory Thursday at UT Tyler's Irwin Field to kick off the 23rd annual Rose City Classic.

Carthage starting pitcher Cole Clinton held Lufkin hitless for the game's first four innings and pitched five innings, but a couple of errors helped Lufkin get the four-run win despite Carthage outhitting the Panthers 6-3.

Lufkin scored one run apiece in the fourth and fifth innings before notching three runs in the top of the sixth for a 5-0 lead. Carthage's lone run came in the bottom of the seventh on William Rittenberry's solo home run, which hit the very top of the left-field wall and bounced over for the Bulldogs' only tally.

Cort McPherson produced Lufkin's first run of the game on an RBI sacrifice fly to center field that scored Caleb Guzman in the top of the fourth. Lufkin increased the lead to 2-0 an inning later on Britty Stovall's RBI double down the left-field line.

Haylen Green added an RBI single in the top of the sixth to spark the three-run frame that put away the game for the Panthers.

Cagan Baldree relieved Clinton on the mound for Carthage, which fell to 1-1 after a 6-5 home victory against Spring Hill on Monday. Tyler Killen, Jarod Blissett, and Jack Morris hit a double apiece Thursday for the Bulldogs.

Carthage continues action in the Rose City Classic on Friday with a 10 a.m. game against Hallsville and 12:15 p.m. game against Sulphur Springs, both of which will be played at Mike Carter Field in Tyler. Lufkin also plays two Rose City games Friday at Mike Carter Field against Lufkin Hudson at 4:45 p.m. and Tyler Lee at 7 p.m.