BC's win should come as no surprise

[KFDM COOP]

BC's win should come as no surprise

Gabe Pruett

The Orange Leader

As soon as Bridge City took down Carthage 6-2 Thursday in Game 1 of the Class 3A Region III Regional Semi-finals, the obvious questions were thrown my way.

Was I surprised the Cardinals handed the Bulldogs their first loss in 28 games? Was Carthage a legit 28-0 team? Does Bridge City have a shot at winning one of the next two games if two are necessary?

The answers are almost hard to come up with but I have decided I am not surprised Bridge City won Game 1, I do think Carthage is a legit 28-0 team that is now 28-1 and of course Bridge City can close the deal.

But understand this, Carthage is not done fighting for its season.

The Cardinals have to keep up the intensity and keep the momentum on their side and make the Bulldogs work for every run they get.

Remember folks Bridge City is the two-time defending Region III champions and Carthage is not.

Bridge City has what Carthage wants and not the other way around.

It is the Bulldogs now who have to prove they are the team that can overcome a heavy obstacle and that obstacle is a confident Bridge City squad which has Carthage's tails up against the wall.

Carthage will not let this series go easily but Bridge City is in the driver's seat and right where they wanted to be.

If there were keys to winning Game 1 handed out before the game then Bridge City accomplished each and every one.

The most important part was to have senior Jeff Stringer hold off the Bulldogs' offense.

Mission accomplished on that as Stringer struck out 12 and scattered seven hits. Stringer's confidence level is so high this season that he simply does not care who the opponent is.

Stringer expects to strike out double digit batters each and every game and expects to win in a complete game outing every time out.

Key No. 2 probably would have been the Cardinals' needed a strong defensive performance and give the Cardinals an A+ in the defensive category on Thursday.

Freshman, yes freshman, Matt Hicks had a brilliant play at short getting an important first out in the top of the seventh.

Second baseman Troy Bolton was up to his usual smooth self in the field with the blue-star play being a double play exactly when Bridge City needed one.

Fellow freshman Joe Robertson at third also had several nice plays in the game which kept the Bulldogs' offense at bay.

The final key to the game I would have picked out was the Cardinals' hitting against Bulldogs' starter David Rollins.

Bridge City got eight hits off the Carthage ace and scored six runs, way under the average of one run a game the Bulldogs are used to giving up.

LSU's center fielder of the future Johnny Dishon smacked two homers, the first a towering shot Carthage's outfield could only watch.

Stringer punched two hits, Casey Jackson had a double and Daniel Willey had a big RBI sacrifice fly in the second inning to tie the score.

It was very important for Bridge City to get on top early and make Carthage be the ones to play catch-up baseball.

So Game 2 is today at noon at Lufkin's Morris Frank Park with Game 3, if necessary, to follow 30 minutes later.

Can Bridge City do it?

They already answered that question once heading into Game 1 so why change the answer now?

One final note about the Cardinals, it is nice to see those fans questioning Coach Billy Bryant have gone quiet here lately on different websites and forums.

Two straight Austin trips and one win away from another regional final finally seems to be enough for people to realize whether you like the guy or not, he gets the job done.

I enjoy talking to Coach Bryant and enjoy watching his teams play. So take this as my endorsement for Coach Bryant and all his accomplishments with the Cardinals.

The old saying of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," might say enough for what Bridge City should think of its coach.

[Hupernikomen]

Although Carthage is not the two-time Reg. III champs, it is not entirely fair to make that comparison.  Carthage was in Reg. II two years ago and not only made the State tournament, but won it putting out BC along the way.  Carthage must have been very senior heavy that year because last year they failed to make the playoffs.

[Guest etbu]

Who cares Hok? You know from having lived in Marshall  Carthage needs to be taken out.. Builds character.  ;D Good luck BC.  Remember when Carthage use to play Marshall in football? When the Bulldogs were four-a and the Mavs were Five-A?

[Hupernikomen]

Who cares Hok? You know from having lived in Marshall  Carthage needs to be taken out.. Builds character.  ;D Good luck BC.  Remember when Carthage use to play Marshall in football? When the Bulldogs were four-a and the Mavs were Five-A?

I certainly want BC to win.  But you are right about living in Marshall and knowing that Carthage has to be taken out.  Those kids are a powerhouse in baseball from way back.  I don't recall the Bulldogs playing the Mavs, but if they did I bet Coach Parker put a knot of their heads.  The year (or maybe it was the year right before) I came to Marshall they won the 5A state championship.

[Guest etbu]

I certainly want BC to win.  But you are right about living in Marshall and knowing that Carthage has to be taken out.  Those kids are a powerhouse in baseball from way back.  I don't recall the Bulldogs playing the Mavs, but if they did I bet Coach Parker put a knot of their heads.  The year (or maybe it was the year right before) I came to Marshall they won the 5A state championship.

Bro little older than you bc it was like 1982 or 83 when Coach Jim Stroud was there.  ;D Former Cougar and Viking Audry McMillian played for the Bulldogs and brutha could fly. Mavs still won though.  ;D

PS My bad did not mean to hijack the thread so GO CARDS.  ;D

[injun]

Although Carthage is not the two-time Reg. III champs, it is not entirely fair to make that comparison.  Carthage was in Reg. II two years ago and not only made the State tournament, but won it putting out BC along the way.  Carthage must have been very senior heavy that year because last year they failed to make the playoffs.

They did make the playoffs last year, but they went out early

[Gabe]

They might not have been Region III but still means Region III is BC's territory until proven otherwise.

[Hupernikomen]

They did make the playoffs last year, but they went out early

Yeah I see that now.  Wonder how many of the current players were on the state team?

[snuffy]

Carthage lost in 3 games to eventual state champ Texarkana Liberty Eylau last yr and if your Cards have to end up facing their pitching in Round Rock you will see why. 

[snuffy]

Oh I forgot yall lost to LE and Middlebrooks at state last yr.

[Gabe]

Quite the accomplishment getting there twice in a row and very close making it 3...Still a lot of work to be done but everyone in OC is proud of the Cards