KFDM COOP Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 BC looking for equalizer over Spring Hill Gabriel Pruett The Orange Leader BRIDGE CITY — One game does not make a three game series but it sure can put one team behind the eight ball. That is exactly where Bridge City (25-6-1) finds itself heading into today’s Game 2 against Spring Hill. Spring Hill defeated Bridge City, 8-7, Thursday night in 10 innings at Lufkin Hudson High School and now the Redbirds will try again at 2 p.m. today. Game 3, if necessary, will follow Game 2. Both squads should know their opponent quite well after Thursday’s affair which lasted over three hours. “It was two equal ball clubs going right at each other,†Bridge City coach Chad Landry said. “They (Panthers) executed down the stretch and we did not. Right after the game and being on the losing end, it is tough. Today we took a step back, watched the video and it was a great game. There was some great defense, great pitching and some quality hitting going on. It was truly a great game.†The great pitching started with Bridge City ace Matt Hicks who threw all 10 innings and struck out 10 batters while walking one. Bridge City also got a look at Spring Hill ace Garrett Methvin who worked four innings of relief and threw about 50 pitches. “It was good to get a look at him,†Landry said. “We got to see how he works and what pitches he throws in situations. He was nothing overly dominating Thursday but we have to put the ball in play a little more often.†The Cardinals will also need to hold down a lead if they obtain an advantage. Bridge City squandered a 7-3 in the sixth inning in Game 1 after Spring Hill scored four in the bottom of the sixth. “They can hit the ball one through nine,†Landry said. “A bigger weapon is they are all so fast. They have a lot of team speed. They don’t have the need to pinch run like we have to a lot of times.†The Cardinals will be looking to put a lot more baseballs on the ground Saturday when facing the Panthers and hopefully get a few lucky breaks when it comes to scoring runs. There were four instances the Cardinals had runners thrown out at home, including a squeeze play attempt. “Baseball 101 is with to outs to send the guy,†Landry said. “They (Spring Hill) made great plays. Without a doubt in a three-game series, it evens out and you find out who the better team is.†Landry said his Cardinals were in high spirits Friday, joking around like they have done all season. “They are as loose as they have ever been,†Landry added. “They know what they are up against. I really don’t know how they do it.â€
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