(Geronimo) — On a sunny and windy afternoon in Geronimo on Monday, the Navarro Panthers won their opener in the first game for new coach Justin Dunnam. The Panthers cruised past the Jourdanton Indians, 8-1 at Navarro High School.
Senior Landun Taylor got the Panthers going in the bottom of the first. Taylor stroked a triple down the right field line to bring home Austin Davidson and Gavin Newborg to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Matthew Villaneuva would bring Taylor home on a fielder’s choice for Navarro’s third run.
Colt Brown got the start on the bump and threw three hit-less innings with four strikeouts on the afternoon. Taylor would come in relief and duplicate the junior Brown with another three hit-less innings and four K’s.
The Panthers first-year head coach, Dunnam, called Taylor a great team player following Monday’s ballgame.
“No matter if its football, baseball, track or whatever Landun decides to do and puts his mind to, he’s gonna be great at it,” Dunnam said. “We love having him around. He’s one of those guys in the dugout that cracks jokes and gets everybody going. And on the field, whenever he steps into the batter’s box or whatever position we put him in, he locks in and is ready to go. So, he’s a great kid to have in the program, a great young man.”
Taylor went 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. He finished with three RBI and three runs scored.
After facing Jourdanton in Geronimo on Monday, the Panthers will go down to Jourdanton later this week. Navarro will compete in the Jourdanton tournament starting on Friday.
(San Antonio) — Over in San Antonio, the Seguin Matadors fell on the road in their season opener. Cornerstone Christian took down the Matadors, 20-8 on Monday. Seguin will host the Matador baseball tournament at Smokey Joe Williams Field starting on Thursday.
(Marion) — The Marion Bulldogs have their 2024 opener today. The Bulldogs will host Holy Cross this evening. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Marion High School.
(Marion) — Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs will be playing right next door to the baseball team when they host Lytle tonight. First pitch will take place at 7 p.m.
(Seguin) — The Seguin Lady Matadors are hosting Bandera tonight. The game will get started at 7 O’clock at the Huber Ranch.
The Lady Mats will be in Kekaha, Hawaii for the 38th Annual Waimea High School Varsity Softball Tournament starting on Thursday.