CORPUS CHRISTI - Carmen Benedetti went 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs while Ryan Hartman blanked Midland over the final four frames Saturday night, as the Hooks rolled to a 9-3 triumph at Whataburger Field.The Hooks (19-16) did most of their damage in the first inning, sending 11 men
CORPUS CHRISTI - Carmen Benedetti went 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs while Ryan Hartman blanked Midland over the final four frames Saturday night, as the Hooks rolled to a 9-3 triumph at Whataburger Field.
The Hooks (19-16) did most of their damage in the first inning, sending 11 men to the plate against Corey Walter (2-4). With the bases full and no outs, Benedetti sent a two-run double into right-center. Randy César was next and made it 3-0 with an RBI single into right.
Following a hit batsman, Nick Tanielu cracked a grounder through the right side, chasing home Benedetti. Cesar scored the fifth run on a passed ball and Tanielu made 6-0, scampering home on a double play. Myles Straw, who singled to start the frame, capped the barrage with an RBI infield hit.
Hooks starter Brock Dykxhoorn responded by retiring the first nine men he faced. Midland (19-16) got to Dykxhoorn in the fourth, scoring twice on a free pass and a pair of doubles.
Richie Martin opened the RockHound fifth with a home run down the left-field line. Dykxhoorn exited the game four batters later with two on and two out. After walking the first man he faced, Hartman stranded the bases loaded by inducing a fly ball to right field.
Alex De Goti restored the Hooks to a five-run advantage by sending a base hit into left field, scoring Tanielu from first base.
Benedetti's second double of the night came in the sixth and plated Josh Rojas for a 9-3 bulge.
Hartman (2-1) dispatched 13 of the final 16 hitters he faced to earn the victory.
Corpus Christi aims for the series victory Sunday afternoon with right-hander Corbin Martin on the hill. Martin, selected by the Astros in the second round of last year's draft out of Texas A&M, is set to make his Whataburger Field debut. First pitch 2:05.
