Blackcats can't overcome slow start in bi-district loss to Troy

In their first playoff action in five years, the Mexia Blackcats fell behind early and dropped a 4-1 decision to Troy in the first game of a best-of-three, bi-district series at Waco ISD Sports Complex on Thursday night, May 2.
Troy scored three runs in the first inning and one in the second and coasted to the victory.
Mexia scored its run in the top of the seventh inning. The Blackcats managed just two hits off Troy pitcher Cannon Negron.
Adriano Mendoza drew a walk to lead off the Blackcats' seventh inning. He advanced to third on an error and scored on a groundout by Brett Swift.
Hunter Murphy overcame a tough start to toss a complete game for Mexia. He surrendered eight hits and four runs, all earned. He walked two and struck out two.
Over the final four innings, Murphy allowed just three singles and no runs.
While Murphy was keeping Troy in check, the Blackcat bats couldn't get untracked against Negron, who allowed two hits and one uneaned run, walked one and struck out seven.
Negron retired the first 12 batters he faced. Swift got Mexia's first hit when he singled to lead off the fifth inning. But Negron struck out the next three batters to strand the Blackcat at first base.
Troy's leadoff batter in the fifth singled, but after an out the 'Cats turned a double play to end the inning.
Mexia's other hit in the game was a two-out single by Keydren Majors in the sixth inning. But a line out to the pitcher ended the inning.
The teams are slated to play game two at 7 p.m. today (Friday) at Waco ISD Sports Complex. A third game, if necessary, will be Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Complex.