CANTON -- Leadoff hitter Will Frizzell gave Rockwall control of Monday's District 11-6A fourth place playoff game on the third pitch of the contest. He homered more than 325 feet to right field for what held up as the game winning run.

But it took seven complete innings for Rockwall to fend off Tyler Lee for its 3-0 victory. The Red Raiders stranded six runners on base, including two when its season came to an end at Canton Field.

"It's hard for me to talk to them now," Red Raiders head coach James Boxley said. "We'll visit the rest of the week. I'll see them all week. I'll basically tell them how much I appreciate them and love them. I don't really have any answers right now."

Tyler Lee first baseman picks off Rockwall's Justin Chidester on a throw from starting pitcher Jonathan Randall in the third inning.
Tyler Lee first baseman picks off Rockwall's Justin Chidester on a throw from starting pitcher Jonathan Randall in the third inning.
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Boxley's first season as Lee's coach closed at 16-12 overall.

The Red Raiders had to scrap late in the regular season just to earn their postseason tilt with Rockwall (16-11). They defeated Rockwall six days ago to keep their playoff hopes alive but blew a 2-1 lead to first seed Garland Naaman Forest in the seventh inning Saturday while Rockwall rallied back in the standings with a victory against Garland and a tie in fourth place.

Rockwall advanced to face Harker Heights, the  District 12-6A champion, in the Class 6A bi-district playoff round later this week. It joined Naaman Forest, Rowlett and Lakeview Centennial as a postseason representative from Lee's district.

Mitchell NeJame and Mason Parker made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Both were grazed by throws from Rockwall reliever Diego Muniz with one out in the frame. That brought up the top of Lee's order.

Parker Bramllett hit into a fielder's choice at second base, but a dive into first base kept the season alive. The next batter grounded out to second base while NeJame was in the process of crossing the plate.

Three other innings had offensive potential for the losing side.

Right fielder Tyler Riebock saved Rockwall from a two out, 2-RBI hit by Parker Bates at the warning track in the bottom fifth. Riebock caught the ball while falling backward as Bramlett and Kade Keener charged in from third and second base.

Lee stranded runners at the corners in the third inning and runners at first and second base in the bottom first.

Rockwall did most of its damage in the first two innings on its way to six hits.

After Frizzell took a 1-1 pitch deep in the top of the first, Justin Childress reached home safely while Lee turned a successful 4-6-3 double play in the second inning. Childress got on base by aid of the first of back-to-back errors.

Rockwall gained its 3-0 advantage on back-to-back doubles from Frizzell and Muniz in the fifth.

Brooks Helmer earned the win on the mound. He allowed three hits on 100 pitches through five innings of work.

Muniz picked up the two-inning save on 17 throws despite allowing three Red Raiders on the bags. He threw a full count walk in the sixth.

"It was a good game and Rockwall is a good ball club," Boxley said. "I guess we've been in the playoffs probably for the last two weeks and had to go out and win ball games. You feel fortunate that you get a chance to extend the season, but you're certainly disappointed that it didn't happen.

"We're going to have a great summer and offseason. We're certainly going to put a good product on the field."

Rockwall right fielder Tyler Riebock leaps up to steal a 2-RBI hit from Lee's Parker Bates.
Rockwall right fielder Tyler Riebock leaps up to steal a 2-RBI hit from Lee's Parker Bates.
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Rockwall 3, Tyler Lee 0

District 11-6A Playoff Game
At Canton Field, Canton

Rockwall       110    010    0    --    3    6   1
Lee                000    000    0    --    0   3    2

Pitchers and catchers
  • Rockwall: Brooks Helmer, Diego Minuez (6) and Nick Calacecchi, Chris Caquelin (6)
  • Lee: Johnathan Randall and Marc Schwartz
  • WP -- Helmer
  • LP -- Randall
  • -- Muniz
Doubles
  • Rockwall: Will Frizzell, Calacecchi, Muniz
Home Runs
  • Rockwall: Frizzell

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