BASEBALL: Legacy ends slide, edges Durango

A 10-game losing streak can take the drive out of any team.

But for the Legacy baseball squad, such a slide has made the Longhorns only more motivated.

“For some of the seniors, these last few games may be the last time they ever play this game,” coach Bill Dexheimer said. “For others, this could be a stepping stone and an opportunity to play at the next level.”

In Saturday’s nonleague game against Durango, the Longhorns proved they still have plenty of resolve.

Kyle Peeler went 2-for-4 with four RBIs as Legacy snapped its 10-game losing streak, escaping a seventh-inning jam to down the Trailblazers, 7-5.

“It was a good win for the kids, being Senior Day,” Dexheimer said. “Even though it’s not our last home game, it’s definitely a big day for all those kids.”

Of all the seniors, Peeler had the greatest impact at the plate.

The first baseman powered a run-scoring double in the first inning and then smacked a three-run triple in the third that just missed clearing the fence in left field to help Legacy (8-16) jump to a 5-0 lead.

The Longhorns added another run in the third on Dwight Taylor’s sacrifice fly that scored Peeler, and starting pitcher Colton Malich extended the lead to 7-0 in the fifth with a two-out RBI single.

“It definitely helps to have that run support,” said Malich, who had four strikeouts in five innings. “Not to sound selfish, but it doesn’t make it feel like it’s just you. There are times in this game where it is really just you.”

The senior left-hander exited in the sixth with no outs and runners on first and second, and that’s when Durango (8-22) dug in.

Dustin Levin hit a two-run double with one out in the sixth, and after back-to-back singles to start the seventh, Anthony Parry pulled a first-pitch fastball over the right-field fence to trim the Trailblazers’ deficit to 7-5.

Coming out of the bullpen with a runner on second, Legacy sophomore Robbie Galvan ended the game with three straight strikeouts to record the save.

Brett Neighbors went 2-for-4 with a run for the Trailblazers.