Top Dogs: Hounds win battle of Austin with convincing victory over Blue Jays

Published 11:05 pm Wednesday, July 2, 2025

By Rocky Hulne

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The Austin Greyhounds made it known that they are still the team to beat in town as they beat the Austin Blue Jays 12-3 in an amateur baseball game in Seltz Field Wednesday night.

Nestor Jimenez was the driving force for the Hounds’ offense, which produced 17 hits. Jimenez went four-for-six at the plate and he knocked in two runs, and Carsen Sparrow was four-for-six with two doubles and two RBIs for the Hounds.

“Having two teams makes it more competitive in Austin,” Jimenez said. “We want to show who we are and always represent the Austin Greyhounds, where we play hard every single game.” 

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While the Hounds’ bats were booming, Southland grad Riley Jax gave the team a solid presence on the hill. Jax struck out five in six innings as he surrendered just three earned runs, including just one run in the last five innings he pitched.

Jax’s pitching improved after a little advice from Jimenez, the Hounds catcher, who is in his sixth year of amateur baseball.

“They were expecting his fast ball early on and he just had to start working his change up,” Jiminez said. “Once he did that, he was fine for the rest of the game.” 

Jax is one of the youngest Hounds as he just finished his freshman season at Riverland Community College. He’s appreciating the leadership the Hounds are providing to help him become a better pitcher.

“Nestor’s a big help,” Jax said. “He pushes me to get better and I really appreciate Nestor. He’s the heartbeat of the team. Playing here is a great opportunity for me to play with some veteran players.”

With the Blue Jays trailing 9-3 in the fourth, Miguel Castro almost gave his team a giant boost, but he flew out to deep center field to leave the bases loaded.

The Blue Jays seized an early 2-0 lead on an RBI double by Josh Molina, but the Hounds barked back with six runs to go up 7-2 in the top of the third inning. Nestor Jimenez drove in a run with a single and Mark Harber doubled in two more during the rally.

The Hounds (10-5 overall) won the first meeting with the Blue Jays (3-5 overall) by a score of 9-1 on June 4. This is the first summer that two Austin teams have squared off in amateur baseball since the Austin Blue Sox went defunct after the summer of 2017.

Hounds 0 1 6  2 2 0  0 1 0  –  12  16  0

Blue Jays 2 0 0  1 0 0  0 0 0  –   3   9  2

Hounds pitching: Riley Jax (W) 6 IP, 6 H, 4 BBs, 3 ER, 5 K, HBP; Alex Ciola 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 K

Hounds hitting: Alex Ciola, 1-for-4, R, 2 BBs; Jake Weidner, 1-for-5, double, 2 RBIs, SB, 2 R; Jordan Hart, 0-for-4, R, HBP; Nestor Jimenez, 4-for-6, 2 RBIs; Mark Harber, 2-for-2 double, 2 RBIs, R, BB; Carsen Sparrow, 4-for-6, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 R; Peyton Ransom, 1-for-6, RBI; Dan Bollingberg, 3-for-5, RBI, R; Anthony Ciola, 0-for-1, 3 BBs, HBP, R; Zach Bollingberg, 1-for-3; Bryce Fisher, 0-for-1, 3 R

Blue Jays pitching: Yamil Ocasio (L) 3 1/3 IP, 9 H, 2 BBs, 9 R, 6 ER, 2 K, HBP; Peter Theodos 4 2/3 IP, 6 H, 4 BBs, 3 ER, 4 K, 1 HBP

Blue Jays hitting: Yamil Ocasio, 1-for-5; Miguel Castro, 1-for-5, double, R; Logyn Brooks, 0-for-1, BB, HBP, R; Josh Molina, 1-for-4, double, 2 RBIs; John Berrios, 0-for-3, BB; Peter Theodos, 1-for-4; Xavier Ocasio, 2-for-3, BB; Yadiel Aquino, 1-for-3, BB; Carlos Urieche, 0-for-1; D. Almonte, 2-for-3, RBI; Alexi Laureano, R; Brock Davis, 0-for-1

 

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