One big inning proved enough to lead Lake Travis to an 8-6 win over McNeil in the Langerhans Invitational Friday afternoon.

Leading 3-2, the Cavaliers erupted for five runs in the fourth inning and held on for an 8-6 win at McNeil. Chris Roller’s grand slam proved the big blow, staking the Cavaliers to an 8-2 lead. McNeil chipped away against Jackson Parthasarathy and Ty Racca, but Colton Bailey recorded the last five outs to save the win.

The Cavaliers opened up a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Bailey, who started at first base, drew a one-out walk and came around on two wild pitches from Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli and a passed ball. With two outs, Roller walked and stole second. He scored on Jared Triolo’s bouncer up the middle, and Triolo scored when Jacob Wyeth singled in the same spot.

After pitching out of trouble in the McNeil second, Parthasarathy didn’t escape the third unscathed. Ian Groves led off with a double and scored on a two-out double from Matthew Wright. Wright came around when Kayce Howell connected for the Mavericks’ third double of the inning, trimming the lead to 3-2. Parthasarathy hit Gabe Sanchez but got out of the jam when he picked Howell off second base.

The Cavaliers created some breathing room in the fourth. With one out, Dylan Bryant and Tanner Looney drew walks from Clark-Chiapparelli, and Bailey followed with a single to right, loading the bases. Pinch hitting for Eric Gonzales, Ty Racca grounded a single to left. Roller followed by sending a bomb through the wind and over the left field fence for an 8-2 lead.

Parthasarathy struck out the side in the fourth and got the first two outs of the McNeil fifth before the Mavericks cut into the lead. Marshall Grant drew a walk and took third when Roller lost Wright’s fly ball in the sun for a double. Howell followed with a two-run single, cutting the Lake Travis lead to 8-4.

The Mavericks cut the lead to 8-6 by loading the bases against Racca in the sixth. Bailey allowedP a two-run single to Grant before getting Wright to pop up, ending the inning. After walking Howell to lead off the seventh, Bailey retired the next three batters to earn the save.

Parthasarathy got the win despite allowing four runs on six hits (five doubles) in five innings. He struck out eight, including the side twice. Triolo and Brad Demco had two hits each for the Cavaliers. Roller and Bailey scored twice each.