Robinson grad Braxton Ashcraft pitches against Rangers in front of hometown friends, family

ARLINGTON, Texas (KWTX) - The most popular player in Arlington on Wednesday night wasn’t a Texas Ranger. It was Robinson native and Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, who had the chance to pitch less than 100 miles away from his hometown.

“I think he’s so celebrated right now,” said Wes Waller, a family friend of the Ashcraft family. “He’s a big deal. He’s a big deal in Robinson, Texas.”

There were Ashcraft fans scattered all over Globe Life. You could have found them on the concourse, in left field, down in the suites, and especially behind the third base dugout where the Ashcraft family sat.

“It’s just incredible,” said Tony Ashcraft, Braxton’s dad. “The support from left field to right field, to behind third base, behind home plate, up here. I mean, the support has just been phenomenal.”

The Ashcraft fan club had plenty to cheer for, as the former Rocket tossed seven innings, giving up just two runs on four hits while striking out five.

“He showed us that it doesn’t matter what high school you’re going to, that you can get looked at by anyone,” said Robinson senior catcher Landon Armes.“ Just if you can work hard and show that you have talent, they’ll come to any high school.”

It was a memorable night for Ashcraft, as he got to pitch one of the best games of his young big league career in front of the village that raised him.

“I take a lot of pride in where I’m from,” said Braxton Ashcraft. “The people that support me, the people that love me, and just in general, the support system that I have. It’s the strength of what I do. It’s the strength of my heart and my mind. Even when bad ones happen, there’s still unbelievable support there.”

Friends and family of the Ashcrafts tell KWTX there were around 200 to 300 fans from Robinson who came up to Arlington to support Braxton.