H.S. Baseball: Montwood grabs game one victory over Odessa in round three

The Montwood baseball team moved to within a game of a spot in the 6A Sweet 16 after beating Odessa High School 8-5 Friday night.

The Rams took game one of the best-of-three series thanks in large part to a quick start in the first inning.

Eric Villagomez launched a two-run shot out of the park in Fort Stockton to give the Rams an early 2-0 lead.

They would tack on another in the first inning on an error to jump out to a 3-0 lead.

Odessa would eventually get within a run at 4-3 in the third inning, but the Rams responded with a big fourth behind a crucial triple from Robert Loya that drove in two.

Montwood would lead 7-3 after four and held on in the final innings to claim the 1-0 series lead.

The Rams can close the show with a win in game two Saturday morning. Odessa would need to take game two and then the third game later in the day on Saturday to advance.

Montwood is the only 6A team from El Paso still remaining in the state playoffs.