Lions lose tight pitching battle

What started as a dead-even pitching duel through four innings ended with the defending state champion Big Sandy Wildcats breaking the deadlock with three runs in the fifth on their way to 4-1 win and a third consecutive appearance in the Class 2A final last week at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Big Sandy (36-4) repeated as the state winner on Thursday with a 7-1 win over Linden-Kildare.

Albany pitcher Ben West and the Wildcats’ pitcher Brandon Hendrix opened the semifinal bout firing from the mound.

“Ben came out and pitched a shutout for the first four innings,” coach David Fairchild. “He did a great job without any errors through the fourth, but we gave up some runs and had some errors in the fifth.”

West allowed three runs on four hits and four walks, striking out eight batters. He was credited with the loss.

Ryan Hill came in as relief in the fifth, striking out one and walking one.

Cade Neve took the mound in the sixth, giving up one run on two walks and an error. He struck out one Wildcat batter.

Hendrix went six inn-ings for the Wildcats, allowing one run on three hits and striking out 12.

B.J. Morris, Cade Neve, and Cooper Fairchild each had a hit in the game to lead the Lions at the plate.

“They had a great pitcher who was throwing over 90 mph,” the coach said. “Our guys did a great job and stayed focused. The Wildcats had been 10-run ruling everyone one up until then.”

The coach also praised his team for continuing to play well after going behind 3-0.

“My hat is off to our kids,” Fairchild said. “They continued to fight and scored in the seventh.”

The Lions ended the season with a 23-8 record, advancing to the state semifinal for the second time in the last three seasons.

“They had a great run – a great season,” the coach said. “They are a young group, with only three seniors graduating. We have a lot to look forward to next year.”

All-Tournament Team

Albany junior B.J. Morris was selected as a member of the UIL Class 2A State All-Tournament team, which is picked only from the four teams who compete at the state level.

Eleven players are chosen, with this year’s team made up of five students from state champion Big Sandy, four from runner-up Linden-Kildare, and one each from Albany and Valley Mills.

Morris was named to the outfielder position.

semifinal game

SCORE BY INNING 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R/H/E

ALBANY 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1/3/0

Big Sandy 0 0 0 0 3 1 x 4/4/0

INDIVIDUAL STATS

C Fairchild 1 for 3, 1 sgl

C Neve 1 for 3, 1 sgl, 1 run

BJ Morris 1 for 2, 1 sgl