Buffaloes lose series opener to Bushland, 5-2

May 13, 2011

LUBBOCK — If Forsan's Buffaloes are going to advance in the Class 2A state baseball playoffs they'll have to do it the hard way — winning two games today at Lubbock Cooper's Pirate Field against a formidable Bushland High School squad.

Behind the 15 strikeout pitching of Monty McCasland, Bushland defeated Forsan 5-2 in Game 1 of the area playoff series Thursday. The series was to resume at noon today at the same location. If Forsan can come out on top, the Buffaloes will force a winner-take-all Game 3, to be held 30 minutes after Game 2 is completed. The victor moves on to the quarterfinal round in the playoffs.

Forsan never led in Thursday's contest as Bushland, 21-7, jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first inning. The Falcons added three runs in the fifth to go up 5-0. Forsan got a run in the sixth inning and threatened in the seventh when Buffaloes pitcher Dylan Lowery cracked a one-out single and advanced on a passed ball. One out later, Elgen Suazo walked. Next-up Marcus Cervantes hit a ball that was picked up by first baseman Dreagon Patterson but he misplayed the throw to first and Lowery raced home. McCasland was able to get a ground out to end the inning and the ballgame, however.

Despite being saddled with the loss, Lowery had a good game. He allowed just six hits and struck out five batters. Forsan was limited to four hits.