TYLER -- With the stakes as high as they've been all season, the Tyler Lee Red Raiders weren't going to take any chances. They swung the bats and allowed the chips to fall where they may.

Lee used an aggressive approach at the plate, helping to force nine Longview errors in a 13-1 win in five innings Tuesday night at Mike Carter Field that clinched a playoff spot for the Red Raiders for the 13th consecutive season.

"It's exciting for these kids; they've worked really hard all year in what is a really difficult district," said second-year Lee coach David Howard. "So to be able to get in like this at home is a very satisfying feeling."

Tyler Lee's Daniel Bogue pitches during the Red Raiders' 13-1 win over Longview on Tuesday night in Tyler. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Tyler Lee's Daniel Bogue pitches during the Red Raiders' 13-1 win over Longview on Tuesday night in Tyler. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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The Red Raiders (14-10-1, 6-5) will enter the postseason as either the No. 3 or 4 seed from District 12-5A, depending on what happens Friday night in the regular-season finale. Lee faces league champion Rockwall-Heath, while North Mesquite (12-12-1, 5-6) tangles with Mesquite Horn on Friday.

Longview's loss eliminated the Lobos (11-17, 4-7) from playoff contention.

Lee only collected six hits on the night, but put enough balls in play to create the opportunities for Longview's defense to make mistakes. And there were plenty of those.

Longview committed two errors in Lee's two-run first inning, three errors in the Red Raiders' seven-run second, three more in third that led to two runs and another error in the fourth that helped Lee pile on two more runs.

It all added up to a rough start for Longview ace Will Bradshaw, who did not record an out in the second inning.

"I'm really pleased with what we did at the plate," Howard said. "(Bradshaw is) a good pitcher, has been all year and gave us all kinds of trouble last time out. So the fact that we got in there and competed against him was big for us."

On the other side, Lee left-hander Daniel Bogue barely broke a sweat. He allowed just a run on two hits with four strikeouts and needed just 55 pitches to get through five innings.

"You could tell when we got him some runs that he kinda started smelling the finish line," Howard said of Bogue. "He flipped the switch and pitched really well at the end of the game."

Longview's Will Bradshaw delivers a pitch during the Lobos' game against Tyler Lee on Tuesday night in Tyler. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Longview's Will Bradshaw delivers a pitch during the Lobos' game against Tyler Lee on Tuesday night in Tyler. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Longview's only run came in the second. Dez Chumley led off the inning with a triple to deep right field and came into score on a groundout by Austin Attaway.

Ryan Rendon was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and Tyler Jones had two hits, an RBI and scored twice to lead the Red Raiders at the plate. Ben Romines singled, walked twice and scored two runs, while Isaiah Yates doubled home a run and came into score twice.

Rendon had an RBI single and Chandler Hill scored on a throwing error by the Longview catcher to give Lee a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

The Red Raiders then sent 12 batters to the plate in the seven-run second inning, which broke the game wide open. Jones and Rendon had RBIs in the frame, while the other four runs were all courtesy of errors and a passed ball as the Red Raiders had a 9-1 lead after two innings.

"We've talked all week about what we're trying to do at the plate and being aggressive in our approach and putting pressure on the other team," Howard said. "I think we did a good job of that."

Longview finishes its season Friday at home against Rockwall.

Tyler Lee's Parker Bates squares around for a bunt during the Red Raiders' 13-1 win over Longview on Tuesday night in Tyler. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
Tyler Lee's Parker Bates squares around for a bunt during the Red Raiders' 13-1 win over Longview on Tuesday night in Tyler. (Christopher R. Vinn, ETSN.fm)
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Tyler Lee 13, Longview 1 (5 innings)

District 12-5A Baseball

At Mike Carter Field, Tyler

Longview         010    00    --    1    2    9
Tyler Lee          272    2x    --  13    6    0

Pitchers and catchers
  • Longview: Will Bradshaw, Jared Pauley (2) and Austin Attaway.
  • Tyler Lee: Daniel Bogue and Tyler Jones.

 

WP -- Bogue.
LP -- Bradshaw.

 

Doubles
  • Tyler Lee: Isaiah Yates.

 

Triples
  • Longview: Dez Chumley.

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