Game 1:  Hightower routes Dickinson 11-4. 
The Canes got the 2009 season off to a great start thanks to two 5 run innings and solid work by starting pitcher Grant McIntire making his Varsity debut.  The balanced offensive attach was headed by a 3 for 5 performce by JC Garcia and a homer by Jonathan Bauer. All members of the starting lineup had a hit with two hits each by Robert Cossey, Evan Lyday, and Ryan Platek.  On the mound McIntire was solid as a rock with 3Ks over 5 innings of work.  Curtis Schroller finished the game with 2 fine innings of relief.   (click herer for the game's line score)

Game 2:  Hightower looks grand in 17-4 win over Clear Springs. 
The Canes’ heavy metal continued to pound out hits with Clear Springs being the latest victim.  The Hurricane clubbed 9 extra base hits lead by JC Garcia’s Grand Slam and Paul Como’s sole homer and double.  Also like yesterday, all 11 players who batted got at least 1 hit.  Having multiple hits were Robert Cossey, Evan Lyday, Ryan Platek, JC Garcia and Paul Como.   On the mound senior Gabe Babineaux gave the Canes 4 solid innings with 5 K’s and sophomore Zach Aitken made his varsity debut with 2 shutout innings of work.  (click herer for the game's line score)

Game 3: Hightower errors in 7-5 loss to Pearland.

7 Hurricane errors lead to 5 unearned runs and wasted a solid pitching performance in this loss to Pearland.  Ryan Platek scattered 5 hits to go with 3 Ks in going the distance against a strong Pearland team.  Down 7-1 the Canes rallied in the 7th inning for 4 runs and had the tying at the plate when the rally fell short.  The offense was lead by JC Garcia and Jonathan Davis each with a 2B and multiple hits. 

Game 4: Hightower battles Alvin but falls 5-4.

The Canes played their best game of the sort season in a hard fought game against powerhouse Alvin HS.  Evan Lyday was absolutely terrific on the mound, striking out 8, while holding Alvin in check until a dramatic 7th inning 3-run HR provided Alvin with a 5-3 lead.  In the bottom of the sixth, the Canes took a 3-2 lead on a 2-out total all-out hustle surprise bunt with Joe Blalack beating a close play at first with a head-first dive.  On the play Jonathan Davis busted all the way in to score from second base.   Even after Alvin took the lead on the HR, the Canes battled back to score 1 run and loaded the bases with only one out.  Unfortunately for the Canes, the Alvin reliever was able to pull off back to back strikeouts to end the rally.  The loss meant the Canes would battle Pearland again in the 3rd place game.  A win would have matched the Canes up against Friendswood in the championship.

Game 5: Hightower runs out of gas in 18-8 loss to Pearland.

Playing in their third consecutive game of the day, the Canes simply had no gas left in tank for their battle with Pearland.  With a 30 mph north wind howling in from center field (dropping the temperature into the 40’s and wind chill into the 30’s), Pearland build up an early big 10-1 lead.  It should be noted that Pearland was only playing their second game of the day and was well rested with a 3 hour break between games.  Despite the difficult conditions, the starving, cold, injured and exhausted Canes staged a huge 7 run rally in the top of the 5th inning to narrow the score to 10-8.   Unfortunately Pearland answered back with 7 runs of their own in the bottom of the 7th to regain their large margin.  In the 6th Pearland added another run to close out the Canes 18-8. 

Even with the loss the Canes finished the tournament with a strong 4th place finish.      

The Hurricanes next game is Thurday at Hightower in the Ewell Jackson Tournament