By DAVID COLEMAN

david.coleman@theeagle.com

In a pitchers' duel, excitement pours out of the smallest moments. Unfortunately for the Brazos Valley Bombers, most of the excitement happened for the guys in the other dugout Thursday night as McKinney beat the Bombers 1-0 at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark.

"We had opportunities tonight and couldn't do anything with it," Brazos Valley manager Brent Alumbaugh said. "In a one-run ball game, all you need is a base hit and we couldn't do it. Our 2-0, 3-1 approaches weren't very good, and we swung at a lot of pitches that weren't strikes."

The game's lone run came in the top of the first. McKinney shortstop J.B. Brown doubled down the third-base line, just out of third baseman Casey Dykes' reach. Brown scored when designated hitter Jay Morris singled to left.

A crowd of 782 saw Brazos Valley starter Travis Smith (0-3) throw seven innings, allowing just six hits and one walk in the loss. The 20-year-old from Austin leads the team in strikeouts, finishing with six for the game. The University of Michigan sophomore has 26 strikeouts this season and is averaging nine strikeouts per nine innings.

"Travis Smith had a good performance tonight," Alumbaugh said. "His performance was better than his last outing against Coppell. He was able to work out of some jams. We just couldn't get the hits to support him."

McKinney starter Joe Zimmerman (1-1) was equally good, allowing just one hit through six innings while striking out four and walking one. Reliever Dan Gentzler picked up the save with a rocky, but scoreless, inning of work.

In fact, the bottom of the ninth was the only half inning when there were more than 20 pitches thrown. Bombers designated hitter John Hale walked to lead off the inning against Gentzler. First baseman Brett Parsons followed with a popup behind second base that was caught by the shortstop, ending his final chance to extend a 15-game hitting streak. Right fielder Andre Rodriguez walked to put men on first and second with one out, but Gentzler struck out the next two batters to end the game.

The Bombers had the first or second batter reach base in the final four innings but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities. Before the ninth, the Bombers hadn't had two runners on base since the third inning.

Bombers catcher John Cannon had the best night at the plate and in the field. The Hutto native and University of Houston freshman was 2 for 3 at the plate and threw out two would-be base stealers. One of those came in the top of the ninth with McKinney threatening to extend its lead. Marshals catcher Andy Lalumandier was on second and tried to take third on a breaking pitch in the dirt. Cannon recovered the ball and threw out Lalumandier at third to end the threat.

McKinney 1, Brazos Valley 0

McKinney 100000000--181

Brazos Valley000000000--031

Joe Zimmerman, Taylor Massey (7), Dan Gentzler (9) and Andy Lalumandier; Travis Smith, Aaron Daab (8) and John Cannon.

W -- Zimmerman. L -- Smith. S -- Gentzler.

Friday's game: East Texas at Brazos Valley Bombers, 7 p.m.