Although the Bulldogs lost their area round opener with Evadale 1-0 in a pitching duel between Thorndale’s Logan Davis and EHS’s Jackson Sylvester, Thorndale started off hot with three runs in game two at Texas A&M’s Olsen Field on Friday.
However, the Bulldogs scored only one more run that afternoon and the Rebel offense went on to put up nine runs in the final three innings to win 12-4 and end Thorndale’s 2021 season.
“Overall, we just didn’t hit the ball like we had been hitting it lately and we just gave up too much free stuff defensively.” Said coach Kelly Kuhl. “Logan threw great on Thursday,” Kuhl said. “But we did some silly things baserunning-wise that probably cost us some runs and the win.”
GAME ONE—T h e opener came down to EHS scoring on a passed ball in the bottom of the fourth to win the game, 1-0.
Although Sylvester threw a no-hitter, he walked eight Bulldogs and THS had a runner on in every inning but the third. Thorndale never had a runner make it to third.
Davis allowed five hits, struck out seven and walked two.
GAME TWO—The ‘Dawgs got things going early in the second game. After Evadale’s Chase Boles walked Mason Lindig and Kaden Kovar to start the inning, Davis brought them with a double to left field. He also scored on a Coy Stutts ground-out, giving THS a 3-0 lead.
EHS fought right back to make it 3-2 in the top of the second as Boles also brought in two runners with an outfield hit.
Evadale tied the game at three after a Kip Ferguson bunt brought in Jody Granger. Thorndale regained their lead in the fourth when Hunter Thigpen’s bunt brought home Bryson Beran to make the score to 4-3.
However, EHS got warm when it was their turn to bat in the fifth, loading the bases with four consecutive singles and scoring four runs to take a 7-4 lead. Evadale expanded their lead with two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to take the game 12-4.
Beran pitched 4.1 innings with four strikeouts, four walks and allowed 10 hits. Mike Reyes also saw time on the mound where he struck out one, walked none and allowed nine hits. Mogford, Beran and Davis each had one hit.
“In game two, we came out and jumped on them 3-0 and had the lead late, but we just couldn’t hang on,” Kuhl said.
SEASON—The Bulldogs ended their 2021 season with a 20-12 record and 11-3 record in District 27-2A where they were in the hunt for first place until the final game.
Going into the season, Davis was the only Bulldog with prior varsity baseball experience.
“I think the younger guys learned what the playoffs were all about,” Kuhl said. “You have to come out to play each time you take the field because good teams will capitalize on your mistakes.”
“But overall, I’m really proud of this team and what they have accomplished this year,” he said. “We didn’t have a lot of varsity experience coming into this year and these guys got better each week. I also want to wish the seniors well on whatever path they take going forward.”
Friday was the final game for seniors Mason Lindig, Mike Reyes, Carter Brymer and Cayden Nicholson.
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