Ham, Morales Late-Inning Heroics Lift River Monsters to Extra-Innings Victory

SAN ANTONIO — Friday night lights are as much a part of Texas tradition as barbecue and summer heat.

Most of the time, that phrase belongs to high school football. But on Friday, June 26, the lights at Sullivan Field belonged to Texas Collegiate League baseball — and to a San Antonio River Monsters team that refused to go quietly.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, with runners on first and second and the game tied, River Monsters third baseman Hunter Ham stepped into one of the biggest at-bats of the season. San Antonio had not led since the second inning, but the opportunity was there.

With the count at one ball and two strikes, Ham stayed locked in.

“These dudes aren’t better than us,” Ham said. “Let’s go get a win.”

One pitch later, Ham delivered.

He sent a walk-off single into center field, bringing home the winning run and sending the San Antonio dugout pouring onto the field as the River Monsters defeated the Acadiana Cane Cutters, 5-4, in a 10-inning thriller at Sullivan Field.

The win moved San Antonio to 9-10 on the season and marked another important victory over Acadiana, a team the River Monsters have now faced four straight times. San Antonio has won three of those four matchups, building momentum at a critical point in the summer.

While Ham’s walk-off swing provided the final moment, the River Monsters would not have reached extra innings without the late-game heroics of shortstop Sammy Morales.

Trailing by one run in the bottom of the ninth, Morales came to the plate with San Antonio down to its final three outs. With the pressure rising, Morales delivered one of the biggest swings of the night, hammering a game-tying home run to left field and igniting the Sullivan Field crowd.

The blast tied the game for the first time since the second inning and gave the River Monsters new life.

“We’re never out, no matter how many we’re down by,” Ham said. “We’re always fighting to the last out.”

San Antonio’s offense finished the night with 10 hits and three walks, scoring five runs against the Cane Cutters. Ham led the way with three hits and two RBIs, including the game-winner.

But while the late swings stole the spotlight, the River Monsters’ pitching staff played an equally crucial role in the comeback.

After starter Kade Shaw exited in the fourth inning, Jake Ramirez entered and kept San Antonio within striking distance. Ramirez limited Acadiana to just one run on three hits and one walk, giving the River Monsters a chance to climb back into the game.

MJ Espinoza followed with a dominant relief appearance, tossing four shutout innings and striking out four. His effort helped silence the Cane Cutters’ lineup and gave San Antonio the chance to finish the job late.

The River Monsters’ staff allowed just one run over the final seven innings.

Ham said the confidence that comes from playing behind a pitching staff like that is hard to overstate.

“It’s the most confidence you can have as a position player,” Ham said.

San Antonio now turns its attention to a weekend homestand against the Brazos Valley Bombers on June 27 and 28. With momentum building and July approaching, the River Monsters are starting to find their rhythm at the right time.

Their mindset remains simple.

“Take it pitch by pitch,” Ham said. “Put good at-bats together. Do the small things right.”