TL1 San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Walks-Off Springfield on Bixler's Ninth-Inning Single

Published on July 6, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release


Brian Bixler's two-out, walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth gave San Antonio a thrilling, 2-1 win over Springfield Sunday evening at Wolff Stadium.

San Antonio starter Justin Hancock looked sharp in his first appearance with the club since April 18 (DL: strained flexor muscle). The 23-year-old right-hander allowed just two hits and two walks, while fanning a pair over three scoreless innings.

Cory Spangenberg gave the Missions a quick 1-0 lead when he opened the bottom of the first with a homer to left off Sam Gaviglio. It was the third time this season San Antonio had led off a game with a homer and their first time doing so at the Wolff.

Springfield took advantage of Hancock's exit in the fourth, tying the game at one with Breyvic Valera's RBI single to right off John Hussey. It would be the only run charged to Hussey, who struck out a season-high, tying five over four clutch innings of relief.

The Missions wasted a golden chance to take the lead in the fifth, loading the bases with just one out on singles by Cody Overbeck, Hussey and Spangenberg. However, Gaviglio kept the game tied at one by striking out both Adam Buschini and Casey McElroy.

Springfield missed chances of their own throughout the game, going 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and leaving a total of 12 men on the bases.

The game would remain tied until the bottom of the ninth, when Austin Hedges ignited a Missions' rally with a one-out double off reliever Ryan Sheriff (2-4). After Sheriff intentionally walked Yeison Asencio, he was replaced by Chris Thomas. The Cards' right-hander quickly retired Overbeck on a fly out to center for the second out of the frame. However, Bixler helped the Missions avoid extra innings when his single into right scored Hedges with the game-winning run.

Bixler's heroics made a winner out of Luis De La Cruz (4-6), who fanned four over two scoreless innings. Missions' pitching racked up 11 strikeouts in the victory.

San Antonio (47-40, 11-6) and Springfield (40-47, 6-11) conclude their three-game series Monday on Heroes Appreciation Night presented by Wayland Baptist University. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM. Josh Geer (5-7, 3.50) will get the ball for the Missions, while the Cardinals counter with fellow righty Mike Mayers (1-2, 3.79).

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