BASEBALL PLAYOFFS 2018
HALLETTSVILLE—Facing the daunting task of having to win two games in one day to extend their season, the Thorndale Bulldogs dug in deep.
After dropping the opener, the No. 1 Bulldogs rallied for decisive 11-1 and 2-0 wins on Saturday to take the Class 2A, Region IV semifinals series against Rivera Kaufer.
The series win sets up a showdown between the No. 1 Bulldogs and No. 2 Big Sandy (31-4) this week in the regional finals.
The first game will be played Thursday at 7 p.m. at Sam Houston and will then shift over to Fireman’s Park in Brenham Saturday where the second game is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the third game if needed to follow.
Big Sandy eliminated Thorndale in last year’s finals in a 5-1, 3-2 sweep.
The winner earns a trip to the state tournament June 6, where Thorndale has not appeared since 2010.
Bells (29-6) and Muenster (24-3) face off in the other fi nals.
Big Sandy knocked off Burton 8-1, 8-1 in their semifinals matchup.
It’s Thorndale’s second consecutive appearance in the regional finals and the Bulldogs had to fight to get there.
“Our guys were up to the challenge,” said Thorn-dale Coach Kelly Kuhl, who logged his 250th career win. “They weren’t themselves on Thursday but came back and answered the call. It was a great team win. I couldn’t be more proud of this group of guys.”
In the clincher, Thorn-dale blew out Kaufer 11-1 and fired up the offense in the first inning, when Ashton Albert’s sac fly produced a run.
The Bulldogs tallied five runs in the second inning as Cory Huber, Lane Niemtschk, and Albert all drove in runs in the frame.
Logan Fisher was the winning pitcher for Thorn-dale, lasting two innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out two and walking zero.
Albert threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen and recorded the last six outs to earn the big save.
Niemtschk led Thorn-dale with two hits in three at bats.
Coleby Driver had all the right stuff in the set up game in the 2-0 victory, striking out five in eight innings on three hits and striking out five. He walked just one batter.
Mason Fisher, Driver, Scott Guzman, and Trey Ortiz each collected one hit.
Thorndale fell behind early in the opener and couldn’t come back in the 2-1 loss on Thursday.
Kaufer took the lead on a single in the first inning.
Logan Fisher took the loss for the Bulldogs, surrendering two runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out eight and walking zero.
Niemtschk, Fisher, Driver, and Guzman each managed one hit to lead Thorn-dale.
PLAYOFF PREVIEW
No. 1 Thorndale (31-5) vs. No. 2 Big Sandy (31-4) in the Class 2A, Region IV finals.
Game 1: Thursday 7 p.m. at Sam Houston
Game 2: Saturday, 2 p.m. at Fireman’s Park in Brenham
Game 3: 30 minutes after game 2 (if needed)
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