Hensley’s Pinch-Hit Poke Saves Day for CC

MIDLAND – The first Hooks pinch-hit home run of 2021 was struck by David Hensley in the ninth inning Friday night, sending Corpus Christi to a 5-4 come-from-behind win over the RockHounds before 3,640 fans at Momentum Bank Ballpark.

With the Hooks clinging to their second lead of the night, Nick Hernandez stranded two in the ninth to nail down the victory.

Midland carried a 2-0 edge into the sixth as lefty Ty Damron scattered four hits over the first five innings. Norel González ignited the rally with a lead-off single and Korey Lee promptly doubled to put CC on the board. One out later, Corey Julks crushed a 1-2 pitch to left field for his third home run of the season. The swing extended his hitting streak to eight games, giving the Hooks a 3-2 lead.

Brandon Lawson retired the final seven men he faced to notch the seventh quality start by a Hooks pitcher this season. Lawson permitted three hits and one walk while striking out seven over a season-best 6.0 innings.

Facing Jon Olczak in the seventh, Midland pushed across two runs to get back in front, 4-3. The frame featured a hit batsman, three walks and one knock – an RBI double by Max Shuemann. Jhonny Santos, who hit a three-run homer on Thursday, forced a 10-pitch free pass from Hernandez to plate the go-ahead run.

Aaron Brown, who was 9-for-9 in save chances, entered in the ninth for Midland and permitted a lead-off double to right-center by Marty Costes. Two batters later, Hensley attacked a first-pitch fastball, belting an opposite-field shot to right for his seventh home run of the season.

Hernandez worked around two walks in the eighth before securing his third win in the ninth. He stranded seven over 2.1 frames.

Corpus Christi aims to take the lead in the series Saturday night with lefty Parker Mushinski on the mound. First pitch is set for 7 PM.