KFDM COOP Posted April 20, 2007 Report Posted April 20, 2007 BC’s Bolton has reasons to smileGabriel PruettThe Orange LeaderBRIDGE CITY — It is no wonder why Bridge City second baseman Troy Bolton was all smiles Thursday when sitting in the Cardinals’ visitors dugout.His Cardinals are 21-4 overall and 9-2 in District 21-3A play with three games to go, all three will be at Cardinals Field.Bridge City is in a three-way tie for first in the district standings and are one game ahead of Hardin-Jefferson who is 8-3 in fourth place.Not only is the Cardinals’ team having success, Bolton is doing the same at the plate and while on the field.The smile could be because he is the leadoff hitter in front of a powerful lineup.Bolton smiles at the plate because he is pretty sure the pitcher knows he cannot pitch around him and have to face the likes of Johnny Dishon, Casey Jackson, Chase Warner, Daniel Willey and Matt Hicks. Throw in Jaden Dillon and the rest of the Cardinals and Bolton knows if he gets on base the chances of him being brought home are pretty good.Anybody would smile about that.“I like being the first guy up there and jumping on the pitcher early to set a tone for the game,†Bolton said. “I remember against Nederland earlier in the year I had a 0-2 count and hit a double. The next two guys got in 0-2 counts and then got base hits. We ended up with seven hits that inning.â€Just in the games the Orange Leader has covered this season Bolton has been on base 25-of-42 plate appearances.“I knew I had a lot to fulfill after we had David Coulter and Derrick Coleman were the lead off guys the last years,†Bolton said. “Those guys were great.â€Bolton has enjoyed his time at Bridge City, all except one game.He was a part of the Cardinals losing for the first time in district after winning 42 straight games in district play.“We didn’t expect that one,†Bolton said referring to Bridge City’s 9-7 loss to Silsbee on March 30. “We were up the whole game and then lost that one and the Jasper game in the seventh inning. That does not feel good. Now we have to play Jasper again and we know we can play with them. “We just have to take care of the errors and hit better and we will be alright. I did not even know how to feel after losing a district game and it (the streak) could have ended earlier in Orangefield.â€The Cardinals were down 11-7 after six innings to the Bobcats before scoring six runs in the top of the seventh to pull ahead.Bolton was 0-for-2 in that game but drew three walks and scored all three times he got on base.“When we were all younger we had some games like that,†Bolton said. “To score six runs in one inning to win is a huge deal.â€The senior knows all the smiling and having fun will soon turn to serious faces as the playoffs near and Bridge City looks to go back to the state tournament for the third time in as many years.“It is going to be harder than in the past,†Bolton said. “Last year it was expected of us to make it to Austin and this year people do not expect we can make it again. When we get into the playoffs we have as good of a chance as anybody. How often does the No. 1 team finish the year No. 1? I don’t know the statistics on that but I know they can’t be that good. If not them, then why not us?’With that kind of optimism, it is no wonder Bolton is full of smiles.
Red1 Posted April 20, 2007 Report Posted April 20, 2007 Bolton is a good young man and a role model for a lot of kids.
cardinal81o7 Posted April 20, 2007 Report Posted April 20, 2007 gabe sure did see more smiles than i see on the baseball field ;Dtroy is the MOST competitive person (other than his dad) that i know, hes all business when theres an opponent on the fieldi dont even like to play him in ping pong or washersgreat leader for the team
Critter Posted April 20, 2007 Report Posted April 20, 2007 I agree, Troy is a fine young man and, Great 2nd baseman for the Cards......Good luck on the run to the State Tourny... ;D ;D
TXBaseball Posted April 20, 2007 Report Posted April 20, 2007 gabe sure did see more smiles than i see on the baseball field ;Dtroy is the MOST competitive person (other than his dad) that i know, hes all business when theres an opponent on the fieldi dont even like to play him in ping pong or washersgreat leader for the teamIsn't that the truth! Troy is a GREAT guy (both Troys). Best of luck to all the Cards.
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