Mustangs hold off late-Stockdale surge

NIXON — Up 6-0 at the end of the fourth, the Mustangs survived Tuesday night against Stockdale after the visiting Brahmas came away with four runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to cut the lead to just one run before Nixon-Smiley shut them down in the seventh to win 6-5 in the District 27-3A contest.

Xavier Arias pitched all seven innings, striking out seven batters while giving up four earned runs, nine hits and two hit batters. Arias led the team in hits, going 3-for-4 with two singles, one double, one run and two RBIs. Devin Hester went 2-for-4 with two singles, two runs, one stolen base, one RBI and one strikeout. Jason Yell went 2-for-4 with one single, one double and two strikeouts. Colby Newman went 1-for-3 with an RBI double, stolen base and a walk.

The team combined for four strikeouts, two walks and eight hits at the plate.

Nixon-Smiley moves to 9-1 overall, 1-1 in district play. They play at Yoakum on Friday with first pitch set for 7 p.m.

Stockdale 000 041 0 – 5 9 3

Nixon-Smiley 210 300 X – 6 8 1