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****WEEK 9 SETXSPORTS.COM BASEBALL RANKINGS****

KFDM COOP

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KFDM COOP

KFDM COOP

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SETXSPORTS.COM BASEBALL TOP TEN

WEEK NINE

Week 9 is in the books and, as we hit the home stretch, some are sprinting while others are stumbling.  West Brook has clinched a playoff spot in 21-5A and holds a 1 game lead in that race.  LCM has done the same in 22-4A while PNG is virtually assured of a spot.  Vidor holds a 2 game lead for the 3rd spot over Nederland and the Bulldogs need a lot of help this last week.  Down in 21-3A, that race is still set for a ‘photo finish’ with Jasper and Bridge City claiming a 1 game lead over Hardin-Jefferson and Silsbee.  No one has mathematically clinched a spot and it doesn’t take a lot of imagination for that district to wind up in a 4-way tie. Bridge City has the toughest sledding as they have both HJ and Jasper on their slate this week.

In the small school ranks, Evadale continues to roll toward an undefeated district season while this week’s biggest congratulations go out to the High Island Cardinals.  They defeated Spurger and Sabine Pass this week to clinch a playoff spot for the first time this century (okay, okay…it was 8 years ago but it was still another century ago).  More congrats to the Buna Cougars who entered the state wide poll at #10. 

Without further adieu, here is this week’s Top Ten:

1.   WEST BROOK (1)

The Bruins hold on to the top spot with a huge 7-4 win over Baytown Sterling and a 19-0 spanking of Port Arthur Memorial.  Not only does WB hold our top spot, they hold a 1 game lead in 21-5A and hope to win that school’s first outright district title in 10 years.  They host long-time nemesis Humble on Tuesday before closing out the regular season with a road game in Channelview.

2.   LCM (3)s, the Bears enter the regular season’s final week with a 1 game lead in 22-4A.  LCM hung on for a 3-2 win against Dayton on Friday before putting a dagger in the hearts of Nederland’s playoff hopes with a 9-3 win on Saturday afternoon.  The Green-n-Gold hosts Lumberton before traveling to Vidor to end district competition knowing even a 1-1 week gives them (at worse) the co-championship.  Although taken lightly back in January, the Bears are 7 days away from being crowned district champs.  Of course, their season finale against Vidor (only 1 game back) could have something to do with that.

3.   BARBERS HILL (2)

The Eagles ran into their second outstanding pitching performance in as many weeks as Huffman’s Michael Listi 1 hit BH in route to a 1-0 Huffman win.  Ross Hales was the tough luck loser on the bump in that game.  They close out the regular season looking to be 22-4A’s runner-up at 10-2 and promise to be a dangerous team come playoff time…although they sure have had a lot of trouble swinging the bat the past couple of weeks.  Still, the pitching staff (led by Hales and Thamm) promises to make these Eagles a tough opponent for anyone. 

4.   JASPER (5)

The Bulldogs played only 1 game last week…but what a game it was – a 5-3 win over archrival Silsbee.  Jasper starts the week tied for first place (with BC) and a road game in Kirbyville.  The plot thickens on Friday with another road game…this time to Bridge City where a lot of team’s fates may hang in the balance.  Like Bridge City, the ‘Dogs control their own destiny and can win out to win the district crown.  What a way to close out a district schedule.

5.   BRIDGE CITY (5)

The Cardinals control their own destiny after their 8-1 win on Friday against WOS.  Win out and you’re the district champs.  Unfortunately, that road is paved with a lot of problems…primarily Hardin-Jefferson and Jasper (this week’s opponents).  I still wonder how this plays out – lose to HJ and beat Jasper, and we most probably wind up with a 4-way tie.  What a playoff that would be.  Tough decisions this week for Cardinal coach Billy Bryant…when do you throw your ace?  Tuesday to try and clinch a playoff spot or does he go ‘all in’ and save him for Jasper to try and win district? 

6.   VIDOR (9)

The Pirates demolish Central 10-0 then rally with 4 in the 9th to defeat PNG 6-5.  What a way to gain an advantage in the 22-4A playoff race.  I’d make a bundle if I were Kyle Green’s cardiologist…Virtually tied for second with PNG, and holding a 2 game lead over 4th place Nederland, Vidor still faces an imposing week with Ozen, Dayton (harboring their own slim playoff hopes) and LCM on the schedule.  Win and you’re in. 

7.   PNG (3)

Two weeks ago, the Indians held what seemed to be a commanding 2 game lead in 22-4A.  Today, thanks to losing 3 of their last 4, they’re a game behind LCM.  Sluggish in a 4-0 win over Lumberton, the Indians let a huge game get away when Vidor turned a misplayed fly ball into 4 runs and a 6-5 extra inning Pirate win.  They need to win at least 1 of their 2 games this week vs. Central and Dayton to clinch a spot.  The Indians are stumbling to the finish line but should make it.  Playoff bound again.

8.   SILSBEE (5)

The Tigers held their fate in their own hands.  Game at Jasper.  Joel Schooling on the mound.  And they lost.  The ironic twist here?  The Tigers are now the biggest BC fans in the area (at least on Tuesday).  Silsbee still needs to take care of their own business with games at OF and at HF (better be careful there) and then hope they’re in without some type of playoff.   

9.   HARDIN JEFFERSON (10)

The Hawks won 2 big games and then almost gave it away before holding on to defeat OF 6-5.  Their season is boiled down to one thing…Tuesday night at BC.  Sure, they play at WOS on Friday but…its Tuesday at BC.   Lose then and, odds are, the Hawks can pack it in for 2007.  Win and you get to keep playing.

10.   HUFFMAN (NR)

The Falcons return to the Top Ten primarily because they did what we told them to do weeks ago…stand up to BH and throw your ace.  They did and Michael Listi’s 1-hitter led the way to a 1-0 win.  Actually, the Falcons had a superb 3-0 week, outscoring their opponents 28-0.  Whew.  They look to be the prohibitive favorite to claim the 3rd spot in 21-4A and, with Listi and Arnold, can cause some problems for their opponents come playoff time.

SMALL SCHOOL:

1.   BUNA (Cougars continue to roll through their district, remaining undefeated with 6-0 whitewash of Warren and entering state-wide rankings at # 10).

2.   EVADALE (Winning streak extends with 15-3 win over Hull-Daisetta and 6-1 win over Sabine Pass).

3.   PINELAND WEST SABINE (Another undefeated week for State’s #5 ranked squad)

4.   WOODVILLE (Close call in 5-4 win over Hemphill but Eagles still look playoff ready)

5.   COLMESNEIL (Playoff bound and playoff ready after enduring strong district race)

6.   HIGH ISLAND (2-0 week guarantees Cards first playoff trip in 8 years.  Congrats to HI).

ALMOST IN, OUT AND OTHER RAMBLINGS:

In 22-4A, both Dayton and Nederland have their backs against the wall with 5 losses.  They trail Vidor and PNG by 2 games with 1 week to go.  Of course, 1 of these teams will eliminate the other when the hook up in Nederland on Tuesday.  Dayton also has a makeup game with Vidor.  The Pirates have a tough week with 3 games but, hey, wouldn’t you rather be them instead of the Broncos or Bulldogs?  The 21-3A race will be heart-pounding to the end.  In essence, each of the top 4 teams control their own destiny.   The toughest week belongs to BC as they have both HJ and Jasper.  Both HJ and Jasper can manipulate their pitching simply for the BC games this week.  A true test for the Cardinals – if they’re gonna be district champs again then they’ll earn it this week.

Heading into the last week, some melancholy sets in.  There will be some really good teams from SE Texas who will get left home come playoff time.  By Friday night, a lot of HS seniors will have played their last high school games.  Some will move on and play at the next level but others will not.  Remember that when you’re at the ball park this week.  Applaud all of the young men who work so hard so that we all can lay claim to the fact that the best HS baseball (year in and year out) is played right here in our own backyard.  Good luck this week.  Play well.

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