HighQualityBP

Congrats to Jon who is a fine young man and truly deserving of the scholarship and the recognition. Good luck in all of your future endeavors.

West Brook HS senior first baseman Will Partain has been awarded one of the four $1,500 scholarships for 2008 by the Juliet Tyner Memorial Scholarship Program. Each year two senior baseball and two senior softball players from southeast Texas are selected by the Juliet Tyner Memorial Scholarship Program to receive this scholarship to help pay for college. In addition to excelling on the baseball field, Will is in the top 10% of his graduating class and will graduate with honors. He is a member of the National Honor Society Next year, Will will attend the University of Texas at Dallas where he will study Business Administration. He will also continue playing baseball as a member of the UTD baseball team. UTD is a member of the American Southwest Conference. Shane Shewmake is the head coach. Will is the son of Lynn and Bruce Partain.

Kingwood lost to Sterling last night 4 to 3 in 8 innings. Kingwood ended 21 5A play 7 wins and 7 losses. Like last year, Kingwood did not end district play very well. However, they got hot in the playoffs and made it several rounds until Cy Fair knocked them out.

You are welcome Coop. Also, thank you (and others) for this forum and the promotion of high school baseball.

Channelview -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0 runs 2 hits 1 error West Brook --- 0 0 1 0 3 1 -- 5 runs 7 hits 1 error In perhaps their most complete game of the season, the West Brook Bruins defeated the Channelview Falcons 5 to 0 Friday night at Bruin Ball Park as the Bruins' Seniors were recognized. The victory improved the Bruins final 21 5A record to 9 wins and 5 losses. The win also secured third place in the final district standings and a Bi-district playoff berth for the Bruins next week against the La Porte Bulldogs. Junior Nathanial Svoboda started on the mound for the Bruins and pitched six innings. Svoboda was dominant in allowing the Falcons only 2 hits, 2 base on balls, and 6 strikeouts. As the game progressed, Svoboda seemed to get stronger as he mixed his upper 80s fastball, sharp curve, and effective straight changeup. He struck out the side in the 5th inning. Senior Aaron Bender pitched the 7th inning for the Bruins. Bender also held the Falcons hitless and secured the last three outs with a strike out, weak grounder to first base, and pop up to first. The Bruins got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 3rd inning. With one out, senior leadoff man and left fielder, Matt Serna singled sharply to center field. With senior shortstop, Thad Lycan at the plate, Serna stole second. With Serna on second, Lycan hit an infield single which advanced Serna to third. Bruin right fielder Chris Muellner drove in Serna with a ground out to second. The Bruins provided Svoboda a bigger cushion in the bottom of the 5th inning. Pinch hitter Matt Parker led off the inning and reached on an error. Serna placed a perfect sacrifice bunt which advanced Parker to second. Lycan plated Parker with double into the left field corner. With Lycan on second and one out, Muellner came to the plate. Falcon pitcher Lance Wheeler fell behind in the count to Muellner 2 balls and no strikes. Wheeler tried to get a fast ball past Muellner but the powerful left handed hitter struck it solidly and drove it well over the fence in right center field for a 2 run homer. With a 4 to 0 lead in the 6th inning, the Bruins added an insurance run. At the start of the inning, Chris Wisdom replaced Wheeler on the mound for the Falcons. Bruin center fielder, David Falgout, lead off the inning with a walk. With senior third baseman, Hunter Davidson at the plate, and Wisdom having trouble with his command, Falgout advanced to second and third on consecutive wild pitches. With Falgout at third base, Davidson walked. With two runners on base, Svoboda came to the plate. Svoboda hit a high fly ball which was deep enough for Falgout to tag and score the Bruin's 5th and final run. The Bruin defense assisted Svoboda with several fine plays. Bruin catcher, Aaron Morgan had a good night defensively. Morgan threw out the only Falcon who tried to steal. Morgan's strong throw and second baseman, Austin Huff's quick tag nabbed Falcon center fielder, Casey Grimmett's attempt to steal second for the third out of the 4th inning. Morgan blocked several low pitches which shut down the Falcons' running game with the few base runners allowed by Svoboda. In the 6th inning, Bruin third baseman, Hunter Davidson back handed a sharp grounder behind third base and made a strong throw to first to retire Falcon shortstop, Boo Rodriguez. Outfielders, Falgout, Serna, and Muellner each made running catches that the Bruins' coaches and fans have come to expect as "routine" plays. Keystone combo, Lycan and Huff also showed good range to secure bloopers and take away potential hits near the foul lines. Bruin senior first baseman, Will Partain was again flawless in the field as he completed District 21 5A play (14 games) without making an error. The Bruin's offense was paced by Muellner's 2 run homer, and 3 rbi. Lycan was 2 for 4 with a double, 1 rbi, and a run scored. Partain was 2 for 3 with 3 stolen bases. Serna had a single and scored a run. Huff also had a single. Svoboda help his cause by driving in a run with a sacrifice fly.

At West Brook High School, the baseball program has traditionally had some of the top students in the school. This years varsity baseball team may exceed these already high standards. Center Fielder - David Falgout -- senior -- top 5% of the 2008 graduating class and National Honor Society member. David has been accepted and will attend Rice University. In addition to being a fine young man, and outstanding baseball player, David also excelled on the gridiron as a defensive back and was a Willie Ray Smith finalist for defensive players. First Baseman - Will Partain -- senior - top 10% of the 2008 graduating class and National Honor Society member. Will has the opportunity to play college baseball at the University of Texas at Dallas. Will has been awarded a four year Academic Recognition Scholarship by UTD and will study Business and Biology. Shortstop - Thad Lycan -- senior - top 10% of the 2008 graduating class and National Honor Society member. Thad will attend LSU and study engineering. Left Fielder - Matt Serna - senior - top 10% of the 2008 graduating class and National Honor Society mmember. Matt will attend Texas A&M and study engineering. Infielder - Matt Parker - senior - top 10% of the 2008 graduating class and National Honor Society member. Matt will attend TCU and study business. Pitcher - Aaron Bender - senior - top 15% of the 2008 graduating class and National Honor Society member. Aaron will attend the University of Georgia and study business. Catcher - Scott Gabel - senior - top 10% of the 2008 graduating class and National Honor Society member. Scott will attend LSU and study business. Pitcher - Micah Gibson - junior - top 5% (number 17) in the class of 2009 at WBHS.

West Brook 0 0 1 4 3 3 2 -- 13 runs 12 hits 2 errors Humble 5 0 0 1 1 1 0 -- 8 runs 10hits 1 error Utilizing what former Baltimore Orioles manager, Earl Weaver, once described as the best weapon in baseball, the "3 Run Homer", the West Brook Bruins pounded their way to a 13 to 8 victory over the Humble Wildcats Tuesday night in Humble. With the win, the Bruins take over sole possession of 3rd place in District 21 5A and clinch a playoff spot. Because of rain showers, the start of Tuesday's contest was delayed until after 8pm. The delayed start may have contributed to Bruin starting pitcher Aaron Bender's rough start. After multiple warm-up sessions between rain showers, Bender had difficulty with the command of his pitches. Although getting two strikes on each of the first three Wildcat hitters, they each reached base via a hit batter, bloop single, and a walk. With the bases loaded, an error and resulting overthrow on a potential double play grounder allowed the Wildcats to score two runs. Wildcat center fielder, Cody Tucker drove in two more runs with a double. Tucker scored on Ceasar Ayala's single. At this point, Austin Swindle replaced Bender on the mound and closed the first inning with a strike out, and two fly outs. The Bruins began their comeback in the top of the 3rd inning. Center fielder David Falgout stroked a double down the left field line to lead off the inning. Next, Hunter Davidson, the Bruin's third baseman, singled to left field which enabled Falgout to score the Bruin's first run. In the 4th inning the Bruins began to solve the off-speed tosses of Wildcat lefthander, Chase Gamble. Bruin right fielder Chris Muellner led off the inning with an infield single. With Muellner on first base, Bruin first baseman, Will Partain crushed a double in the left center gap. With Muellner on third, and Partain on second, senior second baseman Austin Huff came to the plate. With the count one ball and two strikes, Huff smashed a Gamble fastball off the score board in left field for a 3 run homer. After Huff's "Big Fly" and with one out, Falgout singled to center. Davidson followed Falgout with a double to right center which advanced Falgout to 3rd base. Swindle came to the plate. Swindle helped himself with a deep sacrifice fly out to center field which permitted Falgout to tag and score the 5th Bruin run. In the bottom of the 4th, Wildcat third baseman, Mitchell Dupond squared up a Swindle fast ball and drove it over the left field fence to put Humble ahead 6 to 5. In the top of the 5th the Bruin's parents and fans pulled on their rally caps, jackets, and other lucky apparel to help jump start the Bruin's comeback. With one out Muellner walked. A Wildcat error allowed Partain to reach first base with Muellner advancing safely to second. With two outs, two base runners, and the Bruin faithful cheering for a rally, designated hitter Ross Foret came to the plate. Foret timed Gamble's offering perfectly and drove it deep over the left field fence for a 3 run homer. Foret's homer put the Bruin's ahead 8 to 6. Swindle continued to battle the Wildcats into the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Wildcats managed to scratch out a run. Ayala led off the inning with a single. After a steal of second, Ayala advanced to third base on a Bruin error. Ayala scored on a groundout. Swindle closed out the inning with a strike out of Wildcat lead off hitter Ernesto Gutierrez. The Bruin offense played add-on in the bottom of the 6th. Davidson led off the inning and reached first base after being hit by a Gamble pitch. Matt Parker batting for Swindle walked. Bruin lead-off hitter, Matt Serna also walked to load the bases with Bruins. Gamble was replaced on the mound by Bobby Martinez. Bruin shortstop, Thad Lycan greeted Martinez with a well hit line drive sacrifice fly to center field which enabled Davidson to score. Muellner followed with a single to right center which permitted Parker to score. On the play, Serna was thrown out at third base for the second out. With two outs, Partain stroked a solid base hit to left field which drove in Muellner with Bruin run number 11. Jordan Soper replaced Swindle on the mound for the Bruins in the bottom of the 6th. After one out, Wildcat third baseman, Mitchell Dupond walked. An error allowed Ben Dykeman to reach. Ayala drove in Dupond with a single. In the top of the 7th, Foret led off the inning with a walk. Falgout singled Foret to third. Davidson drove in Foret with Davidson's third hit of the night. Falgout scored the Bruin's final run on Matt Serna's sacrifice fly to center field. In the bottom of the 7th, Nate Svoboda took the mound for the Bruins. After a lead off walk, Svoboda retired the Wildcats on a fly out to center field, ground out to first, and a strike out. In his longest outting of the season, senior pitcher Austin Swindle gave the Bruins a huge lift. Swindle pitched 5 innings, allowed 2runs, 6 hits, 4 strike outs and 1 base on balls. Importantly, Swindle was able to hold off an inspired Humble team on its senior night and allow the Bruins to come back from 5 run and 1 run deficits. The Bruins offense also came up HUGE. Huff's and Foret's 3 run homers helped the Bruins charge back in a hurry. Davidson and Falgout each had three hits which included a double. Falgout also scored three runs. Muellner and Partain had two hits each. Partain had a double, an rbi, and scored two runs. Muellner scored three runs and drove in a run. Serna and Lycan also each drove in a run. The Bruins conclude District 21-5A play Friday night at Bruin Ball Park against the Channelview Falcons. Friday night will also be Senior Recognition night.

Thanks.

PA Memorial 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 1 run 6 hits 4 errors West Brook 0 4 1 2 0 1 - -- 8 runs 8 hits 2 errors Friday night, the Bruins returned to Bruin Ball Park and won 8 to1 over a scrappy PA Memorial team. With the win, the Bruins improved their District 21 - 5A record to 7 wins and 5 losses. The win also places the Bruins alone in 4th place and the all important final playoff spot. Senior Austin Swindle started on the mound for the Bruins. Swindle continued his recent solid pitching with 2 innings allowing only 1 run, 3 hits, 2 strikeouts and no base on balls. Aaron Bender followed Swindle to the mound and pitched 3 shutout innings. Bender allowed 4 hits, struck out 2 and had no base on balls in his three innings of work. Jordan Soper closed out the game for the Bruins. Soper dominated the Titan hitters striking out the side in the 6th and 7th innings. Soper allowed 0 runs, 0 hits with 6 strikeouts and 0 base on balls. The Titans scored a run in the top of the 1st inning. With one out, Titan shortstop Ronnie Sanchez singled. Diego Martinez followed with a single. Josh Landry was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Jalen Lott grounded into a force out which enabled Sanchez to score. In the bottom of the second the Bruins put 4 runs on the scoreboard. With one out, senior designated hitter, Matt Parker hit a single to right center field. Bruin center fielder, David Falgout stroked a double to right center field which allowed Parker to score the Bruins' first run. After Falgout advanced to third base on a passed ball, third baseman, Hunter Davidson lined a deep sacrifice fly ball to center field which permitted Falgout to tag up and score run number 2. Catcher, Scott Gabel reached first base via an error. Bruin lead off man and left fielder, Matt Serna stroked a single. With runners on second and third, senior shortstop, Thad Lycan walked. With the bases loaded with Bruins and two outs, Bruin right fielder, Chris Muellner hit a single which drove in Ross Foret (running for Gabel) and Serna. Muellner was thrown out at second base tying to stretch his single to a double. The Bruins scored an unearned run in the 3rd inning. With one out, Austin Huff reached first base via a Titan error. After Huff stole second, Falgout continued his clutch hitting with a single to left which enabled Huff to score. In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Bruins extended their lead. Gabel led off the inning with a base on balls. With one out, Lycan lined a single to center field. Lycan's hit skipped past the Titan center fielder which enabled Foret (running for Gabel) to score the Bruin's 6th run. With two outs and Lycan on second base, Bruin first baseman and clean up hitter, Will Partain lined a single to left field which drove in Lycan with the Bruin's 7th run. In the top of the 5th inning the Titans mounted a scoring threat. With one out, Titan lead off hitter, Christian Rodriguez reached on a Bruin throwing error. Following a strike out for the second out, Diego Martinez was hit by a pitch. With Titans on second and first, Josh Landry grounded a single to center field which Bruin center fielder David Falgout charged quickly. Falgout made a strong throw toward home plate. Bruin catcher Scott Gabel caught Falgout's perfect one hop throw and tagged out the sliding Rodriguez to end the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Serna struck a double down the right field line. With two outs and Serna on third base, Chris Muellner walked. Serna and Muellner executed a double steal which permitted Serna to slide home with the Bruins 8th run. The Bruin offense was paced by Falgout who was 2 for 3 with a double, an rbi and a run scored, and Serna who was also 2 for 3 with a double and 2 runs scored. Lycan, Muellner, Partain, and Parker also had hits. Muellner had two rbi, and Partain and Davidson also drove in a run for the Bruins. For the Titans, Diego Martinez had two hits, Josh Landry had two hits, Paul Roy had two hits, and Ronnie Sanchez had the other Titan hit and scored the Titan run. The Bruins travel to Humble on Tuesday night to play the Humble Tigers. The Bruins conclude District 21 5A play next Friday at Bruin Ball Park against the Channelview Falcons.

West Brook 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 -- 7 runs 8 hits 2 errors Baytown Lee 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 -- 5 runs 8 hits 1 error The Bruins continued their push for a playoff spot in District 21-5a with a come from behind win over the Lee Ganders. Bruin hurler Aaron Bender pitched a solid 6 innings allowing 4 runs, 7 hits, 5 strikeouts, and 2 base on balls. Senior Austin Swindle came in to finish the 7th inning to get the save. Swindle got a fly ball out and struck out the last two Lee hitters to close out the game. The Bruins got on the scoreboard first in the top of the 3rd inning. Bruin third baseman, Hunter Davidson, led off the inning with a solid single to right field. Davidson stole second. With two outs, Thad Lycan smashed a single up the middle which allowed Davidson to score. Lee came back in the bottom of the 3rd inning and scored two runs. A single followed by two doubles allowed the Ganders to take the lead. The Bruins tied the score in the top of the 4th. With one out, second baseman Austin Huff walked. Huff advanced to second on a wild pitch. Centerfielder David Falgout stroked a double to left which enabled Huff to score the Bruin's second run. In the bottom of the 4th the Ganders scored two unearned runs to move ahead 4 to 2. The Bruins cut the deficit in half in the top of the 5th inning. With two outs, Lycan walked. He scored when Chris Muellner's double fell near the left field foul line and skipped past the diving Lee left fielder. Down 4 to 3 entering the 7th, the Bruins staged a rally. Davidson led off the inning with a walk. Davidson stole second base. Matt Parker placed a perfect sacrifice bunt which advanced Davidson to third with one out. Bruin lead off hitter Matt Serna stepped to the plate. Serna blasted Lee pitcher Cameron Powers' fast ball to deep left center field for a triple which plated Davidson and tied the game at 4 to 4. With Serna on third and two outs, Muellner walked. With Will Partain at the plate, Muellner started for second and in a designed play drew a throw and created a run down. In the run down, the Ganders mishandled the throw which allowed Serna to score the Bruins' 5th run with Muellner reaching second. Partain then crushed Powers' fast ball to the 360' sign in right center field for a double, which enabled Muellner to score. Huff then drove in Partain with a single to center field. The Ganders threatened in the bottom of the 7th. A walk and double resulted in a Gander run. However, Swindle entered the game and secured the last three outs. The Bruins' offense was paced by Matt Serna, who was 2 for 4 with his triple. Will Partain, David Falgout, and Chris Muellner each had a double. Lycan, Huff, and Davidson each had singles. Several defensive web gems were turned in by the Bruins. Serna made an over the shoulder running catch in deep left center field. Falgout also made a fine catch racing toward the center field fence to spear a long drive. Right fielder, Chris Muellner made a strong throw to shortstop Thad Lycan who relayed the throw to Davidson at third base to nab the Lee runner for the last out of the 5th inning. Muellner also made a nice running catch of a short pop near the right field foul line to record the first out of the 7th inning. Bruin catcher Aaron Morgan turned in a solid game behind the plate blocking several breaking pitches in the dirt to keep runners from advancing. Lycan, Huff, and Partain combined for a flashy 6-4-3 double play to stop the Ganders in the 5th inning. While prone on his belly to reach a long throw from Lycan, Partain managed to keep a toenail on the first base bag to record the third out to end the 6th inning. With their 6 and 4 record in District 21 5A, the Bruins are in third place. On Tuesday, the Bruins return to Baytown to play the second place Sterling Rangers.

West Brook -- senior first baseman Will Partain, senior centerfielder David Falgout, senior second baseman Austin Huff, and senior pitcher Aaron Bender.

Kingwood 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 -- 4 runs 12 hits 2 errors West Brook 1 0 0 2 0 2 -- 5 runs 5 hits 4 errors Behind the gutty pitching performance of West Brook junior Nathanial Svoboda, the Bruins won 5 to 4 Tuesday night in an exciting 21 5A contest against Kingwood. In pitching a complete game, Svoboda scattered 12 hits with 6 strikeouts and only 1 base on balls. Kingwood scored 2 runs in the top of the 1st inning. Shortstop David Tittle led off the game with a double. After a strikeout, the next two batters reached base. An errant pick-off throw at 2nd base allowed a run to score. A single by Connor Mc Ginnis drove in Jeff Parent with the Mustangs second run. In the bottom of the first, Bruin right fielder Chris Muellner hit a double. Senior first baseman Will Partain lined a single to right to drive in Muellner with the first Bruin run. The Bruins went ahead with 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th. Muellner led off the inning with a walk. Partain followed with a bunt single. Second baseman, Austin Huff also had a bunt single. With the base loaded and one out, senior center fielder David Falgout continued his clutch hitting with a double to right which drove in Muellner and Partain. The Mustangs jumped back ahead in the top of the 5th. Dale Brown led off the inning with a single. With one out, Tittle singled. With two outs, Jeff Parent singled to drive in Brown and Tittle. Svoboda showed his mettle in the top of the 6th. After Stilwell lead off the inning with a single, Brown reached on an error. Both runners advanced on a pass ball. With runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs, Svoboda struck out the next three Mustang hitters to get out of the jam. Buoyed by Svoboda's efforts, the Bruins scored two runs in the bottom of the 6th without the benefit of a hit. Partain led off the inning with a walk. He stole second. After 1 out, Ross Foret walked. With Bruins on second and first, the Bruins executed a double steal which resulted in the Mustang first baseman's wide throw of second going into short left field. This allowed Partain to score the Bruin's 4th run with Foret advancing to third. Falgout walked. During another Bruin double steal, the catchers throw eluded the second baseman which allowed Foret to score the Bruin's go-ahead 5th run. The Mustangs refused to quit. Parent led off the top of the 7th with a single. Connor Mc Ginnis forced Parent for the first out. Perkins followed McGinnis with a single. Churchwell grounded into a force out. With two outs and two Mustangs on base, Stillwell hit a deep fly ball to center field which Falgout caught to end the game. For the Bruins, Falgout had a double and 2 rbi. Muellner had a double and scored two runs. Partain was 2 for 2 with an rbi, two runs scored, and 2 stolen bases. Huff also had a single. Friday, the Bruins continue their push for a play-off spot in Baytown against the Lee Ganders.

West Brook 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 -- 3 runs 6 hits 2 errors Atascocita 0 2 0 0 0 3 - 5 runs 6 hits 2 errors In a close hard fought game, the Bruins fell just short of the state-ranked and 21- 5A leader Atascocita Eagles on Saturday afternoon in Atascocita. Senior Aaron Bender started on the mound for the Bruins. Bender used his full arsenal of pitches against the hard hitting Eagles. He pitched into the 6th inning. Although Bender walked 6 and struck out 2, several borderline pitches were just off the corner as Bender refused to give in to the Eagle hitters. He battled and pitched out of trouble by inducing several weak ground balls or pop ups as he kept the Eagle hitters off balance. Nathanial Svoboda got the last two outs in the bottom of the 6th. The Eagles began the scoring in the bottom of the second. After a walk and an infield single, Eagle designated hitter Tyler Coker hit a double to left center which enabled both runners to score. The Bruins threatened in the top of the 3rd. Center fielder David Falgout led off the inning with a double off Eagle southpaw, Jonathan Djesick into the right center gap. Hunter Davidson's perfect sacrifice bunt moved Falgout to 3rd. Aaron Bender walked to put Bruins on the corners with one out. Lead off hitter, Matt Serna lined the ball up the middle of the diamond but the leaping Eagle shortstop, Thomas Doherty caught Serna's liner and fired the ball to first to double up Matt Parker who was running for Bender. The score remained 2 to 0 until the top of the 5th. Bruin second baseman, Austin Huff led off the inning with an infield hit. After one out, David Falgout blasted a homerun down the left-field line to tie the score at 2 to 2. The Eagles broke the tie in the bottom of the 6th. After one out. Coker walked. Eagle center fielder Chris Martinez hit a double to left that drove in Coker. Wilson walked. Eagle left fielder Clay Shrader hit a solid single to right to score Martinez. Svoboda replaced Bender on the mound for the Bruins. Doherty blooped a Svoboda fast ball off the handle of his bat into shallow right field to score Wilson and increase the Eagle lead to 5 to 2. In the Bruin top of the 7th, senior first baseman, Will Partain led off the inning and smashed a Djesick fast ball over the scoreboard in left center field for a home run which cut the Eagle lead to two runs. The next Bruin hitter Austin Huff reached on an error. Ross Foret also reached base on an error. After one out, Davidson reached on a fielder's choice which forced Foret at second. With the tieing runs on base, Djesick was able to retire Matt Parker, for the last out. The Bruin offense was paced by Falgout's double and 2 run homer. Partain had a solo homer. Serna, Lycan and Huff each had a hit. Tuesday night, the Bruins return to action at Bruin Ball Park against the Kingwood Mustangs.

West Brook 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 -- 5 runs 7hits 3 errors Channelview 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 -- 1 run 4 hits 2 errors The Bruins improved their District 21- 5A record to 4 wins and 3 loses. Junior pitcher Nathanial Svoboda pitched a complete game. Svoboda struck out 8 Falcon hitters, with 4 walks. He scattered 4 hits. The Bruin defense assisted Svoboda by turning three double plays. Senior second baseman, Austin Huff had a "web gem". In the 7th inning, Huff ranged far to his right to back hand a sharp hit grounder and in one motion quickly threw to first to nip the Falcon hitter. Bruin first baseman Will Partain assisted with a scoop and long stretch on the receiving end of Huff's throw. Huff and senior shortstop Thad Lycan concluded the game with a crisp 6-4-3 double play. Senior centerfielder, David Falgout got the Bruins scoring started in the 3rd inning with a solo homer to left field. In the top of the 6th the Bruins added 2 runs. Pinch hitter Ross Foret started the inning with an infield single. Matt Serna's perfect sacrifice bunt moved Foret to 2nd base. An errant pick off throw by the Falcon pitcher allowed Foret to reach 3rd. Senior shortstop Thad Lycan smashed a grounder up the middle for base hit to plate Foret. With Lycan on 2nd, junior right fielder Chris Muellner stroked a double down the left field line to allow Lycan to score the Bruin's 3rd run. In the bottom of the 6th the Falcons scored their only run. Following two base on balls and a ground out, Chris Wisdom drove in Keith Cormier with a single to center. Svoboda avoided further trouble by enticing two fly outs to center field to end the Falcon's scoring threat. In the top of the 7th inning, Huff led off with a walk. Huff advanced to second on a wild pitch. Partain lined a single to center field which permitted Huff to advance to third. After one out, senior third baseman, Hunter Davidson hit a deep sacrifice fly to center which enabled Huff to score the Bruin's 4th run. Partain stole second base. Two pitches later he stole third base, and scored the Bruin's final run when the catcher's throw went past the Falcon third baseman. Lycan and Muellner were both 2 for 3. Falgout had a solo home run. Partain was 1 for 3 with two stolen bases and a run scored. Foret had the other Bruin hit and scored a run.

Humble - 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 1 Run, 1 hit, 2 errors West Brook - 0 1 2 1 4 1 ---- 9 Runs, 12 hits, 1 error, The Bruins evened their 21 5-A district record at 3 wins and 3 loses. Senior Aaron Bender started on the mound for the Bruins and pitched 5 innings, allowing 1 hit, 3 BBs,with 2 Ks. Nathanial Svoboda pitched the last two innings, 0 hits, 1 bb, and 2 Ks. The Bruin defense was sparkling. Third baseman, Hunter Davidson made diving stops of two hard hit balls to rob Humble hitters of base hits. Center fielder David Falgout made a nice running catch on a deep fly ball to center. Senior first baseman, Will Partain, ranged into foul territory far down the right field line and caught a ball over his left shoulder. Second baseman, Austin Huff speared a low line drive for the last out of the fifth inning. Partain got the Bruins' scoring started in the 2nd inning with a 1 out single to right. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. Falgout doubled off the left field fence to drive in Partain. In the 3rd inning, Todd Wallace led off the frame with a walk. Chris Muellner also walked. Wallace and Muellner executed a double steal with Wallace scoring on a throwing error by the Humble pitcher. Austin Huff placed a perfect bunt single along the first base line. Falgout drove in the Bruin's third run with a sacrifice fly to right. The Bruins plated another run in the 4th when Davidson led off with a single to centerfield. After Davidson stole second, he scored on a single by Matt Serna. In the 5th, Huff led off with a single to right. Partain beat out a bunt single. Falgout walked to load the bases with Bruins. After the 1st out, Davidson walked to drive in the 5th Bruin run. With two outs, Bruin shortstop, Thad Lycan crushed a double over the center fielder to clear the bases and push the score to 8 to 1. Muellner joined the Bruin hit parade in the 6th with a single to left and advanced to second when the left fielder over ran the ball. With 2 outs, Muellner scored the final run on Falgout's infield single. Lycan was 2 for 4 with 3 rbi. Partain was 2 for 4 with 2 runs. Huff was also 2 for 4. Falgout was 2 for 2 with 3 rbi. Wallace has a double. Serna, Davidson, and Muellner had a hit. Next Tuesday night, the Bruins venture to Channelview to play the Falcons.

West Brook 11 Memorial 0 -- The Bruins offensive attack was paced by senior third baseman, Hunter Davidson who was 3 for 3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Austin Huff was 2 for 4. Senior left fielder, and lead-off man, Matt Serna, had a triple and single, was on base 4 times in 4 at bats, and scored 4 runs. Chris Muellner had a double. Aaron Morgan, Lane Helveston, David Falgout, and Matt Parker joined the Bruin's hit parade. Jordan Soper started on the mound for the Bruins and pitched 2 innings, and allowed only one hit. Austin Swindle, and Aaron Bender each pitched an inning. Scott Gabel closed the game with a perfect inning. The Titans were paced by Diego Marintez who was 2 for 2 with a double. Titan third baseman, Chris Rodriguez made several sparkling defensive plays on several hard hit balls. The Bruins continue 21 5A District play Friday against Humble at the Bruin's home park.

West Brook's Nathanial Svoboda pitched a great game. 8 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits, 10 Ks. 3 bbs. The Bruins played well defensively. No errors and a timely double play in the top of the 7th inning. With only 1 out and Lee runners on 2nd and 1st, Bruin centerfielder, David Falgout, got a great jump on a sinking line drive. After catching the liner, he was able to throw quickly to 2nd to double the runner who broke toward 3rd when the ball was hit. The only run was scored by the Bruins in the bottom of the 8th inning. David Falgout led off the inning with a single to center. He stole second as Darian James struckout for the first out. After Matt Serna lined out to the shortstop for the second out, Chris Muellner hit a slicing single toward the left-field line which allowed Falgout to score the winning run. Muellner was 3 for 4. Falgout had the only other Bruin hit. Reid Sealy pitched well for Lee. 7 2/3 innings, 1 run, 4 hits, 8 ks, 1bb. Lee centerfielder David Mahan made several outstanding catches -- running down multiple flyballs in the left-center and right-center gaps to take away hits from the Bruins.

West Brook's SS Thad Lycan, 1b Will Partain, 2b Austin Huff, C Todd Wallace, and CF David Falgout are solid defensively.

Old Baseball Adage: Good Pitching Stops Good Hitting!! Atascocita pitcher, Jonathan Dziedzic pitched a great game Wednesday night. 3 hits, 9 strikeouts and only 1 base on balls. WB had some good swings but the movement of Dziedzic' pitches did not permit the Bruin hitters to square up the ball. West Brook pitcher Nathanial Svoboda also pitched well. He gave up 4 runs, seven hits, with 6 strikeouts. Defensively, the Bruins did not make an error and turned two double plays. Thad Lycan had one of the Bruin hits. Will Partain and Aaron Morgan had the other Bruin hits. Time to turn the page and move on to Friday's contest against the Kingwood Mustangs....

My unscientific guess based on playing college baseball and coaching my three sons throughout their baseball playing time is that most high school (or MLB?) baseball games are decided by how many walks your pitching allows and how many errors your defense makes. With that observation, I am not sure how often high school pitchers throw batting practice to a hitter and a catcher. Usually, the coaches pitch the majority of BP and the pitchers throw a bullpen. I believe the pitchers do not develop their command or control without throwing to a catcher with a hitter standing at the plate. With regard to fielding, I am not sure how many players get enough repetition in practice fielding ground balls and working on their hand placement and foot-work. Fielding is about reaction developed through repetition. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to organize BP so that the fielders have to play the ball "live" and make fielding plays under pressure. This keeps everyone involved and not standing in clusters in the outfield with only the coach who is pitching BP and the hitter working. I will concede that developing soft-hands doing short-hops is not nearly as much fun as standing at the plate and trying to hit the baseball as far as you can....

In a see-saw affair, Barbe defeated the West Brook Bruins 13 to 10 to claim third place in the Cameron State Bank Tourney. With district starting Tuesday against Atascocita, Head Coach Jacob Walton utilized several of the younger pitchers to gain some valuable experience and develop depth for this year and next. Freshman Darian James started on the hill. He was followed in the middle of the second inning by lefty John Titus, another freshman. Senior Austin Swindell closed out the third inning and sophomore Aaron Morgan finished the game. West Brook's senior catcher Todd Wallace started the scoring in the top of the first with a solo home-run. Barbe broke out of their Aaron "No-Hit" Bender induced hitting funk with four runs in the bottom of the first. Barbe added four runs in the bootom of the second. Down 8 to 1, the Bruins started their comeback. The Bruins scored three runs in the top of the third which highlighted by a two-run homer by Wallace. The Bruins batted around in the top of the 4th scoring 4 runs. Matt Serna's three-run homer was the big blow. With Barbe ahead 10 to 8, the Bruins tied the game in the top of the sixth. Austin Huff had a clutch two out double to drive in the tying run. In the bottom of the 6th, Barbe's first-baseman Zahnbreaker hit a three run homer. Although Will Partain led off the top of the 7th with a double, the Bruins could not close the three run deficit. The Bruins had 11 hits. Wallace was 3 for 4 with two homers, and 4 rbi. Austin Huff was 2 for 4 with a double. Will Partain was also 2 for 4 with 2 doubles. Matt Serna continued his hot hitting with a 2 for 3 effort which included a three run homer. Senior designated hitter Lane Helveston was 1 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. The Bruins open district 21-5A play Tuesday at WB against Atascocita and Friday at Kingwood against the Mustangs.

West Brook senior Aaron Bender pitched a no-hitter against Lake Charles Barbe High School as West Brook defeated the Barbe Buccaneers 6 to 0 in the Barbe tournament. Bender had 8 strike-outs and walked two batters. As with most no-hitters, excellent defense assisted Bender's gem. Left fielder, Matt Serna made a diving snag of a line drive and a strong throw to second to force a runner. In the forth inning, senior shortstop, Thad Lykan made a stellar play going far to his right, backhanding the ball and making a quick accurate throw to second to force a runner from first base to end the inning. Catcher, Todd Wallace made an excellent block of a low pitch, gathered the ball, and made a strong throw to third to nail the Barbe runner trying to advance to third from second. Lykan paced the Bruin offense with a triple and a double. Wallace also had a double. Will Partain was 2 for 4 with a double. Austin Huff had two hits. Darian James and Chris Muellner each had a hit.

Nathanial Svboda of West Brook is 4-0 with wins over Ozen, Wharton, Nederland, and PNG. He is only a junior. He was All- District 21-5A First team last year as a Sophomore. The Bruins have an excellent pitching staff with seniors Aaron Bender and Austin Swindell, and juniors Jordan Soper and Micah Gibson. Ozen -- DD Lott PNG -- Eric Herrington, Jon Carnahan, and Jarrod Spykes Nederland -- Ryan Sampere, Aaron Mc Farland, and Justin Richard

WestBrook 18 runs 13 hits 3 errors Nederland 4 runs 4 hits 5 errors West Brook Offense -- Thad Lykan 4 for 4 (2run HR, 2 Dbls, SF and 8 rbi) Matt Serna 2 for 3 (2 Dbls, 2 bbs, 5 runs scored) Lane Helveston 3 for 5 (2 run HR, 3rbi, 1 run) Will Partain 3 for 4 , (2 rbi, 2 runs, 3 SBs) Todd Wallace 1 for 3 ( 1 run) West Brook Pitching -- Nathanial Svoboda -WP- 3 inn.1 hit 6 Ks 2 runs, Jordan Soper 2 inn. 2 hits, 1 K and 2 runs, Micah Gibson 1 inn. 1 hit, 0 runs, and 1k Nederland Offense -- Jordan Pitts 2 for 3 ( 1 Dbl. 1 run) Stanley 1 for 3 ( 1 Dbl. 1 run) Vedre 1 for 3 ( 1 dbl. 1 run) Nederland Pitching -- Aaron Mc Farland (LP), Justin Richard, Cody Laird, and Ryan Brady