Here's the write up from the BHSports Report.
It wasn't a no-hitter. Nor was it a shutout. And it was not a 5 inning run-ruled game as many had clamored would happen when the state's number one team faced a district runner-up team.
It was an exciting game to watch. It was a slug fest. But mostly it was a 12-8 victory for the home team Bridge City over Barbers Hill. The series will continue on Friday as the venue will now be the Eagles home turf. Game time is 7 p.m.
Barbers Hill opened the scoring in the top of the first when they scratched out a run against BC starter,Kevin Angelle. Chase Barrera reached on an infield hit and went to second on a passed ball. Angelle the got 2 of his 17 strikeouts and looked as though he would get out of the inning. But BH catcher Cameron Campbell lined a single up the middle to score Barrera. The 1-0 lead would be the Eagles last.
Bridge City then struck quickly against BH starter Derek Hulsey. After a lead-off single and a walk, centerfielder Johnny Dishon blasted a 3-2 pitch over the left centerfield fence. Hulsey then got the next 2 batters before trouble struck again. Another base hit put a runner at first with 2 outs. Hulsey was able to induce 2 ground balls from the next hitters but both turned into significat errors. Those errors allowed another run to score and ended the night on the mound for Hulsey. A Cardinal double plated 2 more before reliever Octavio Carmona ended the inning with a strikeout.
In the next 3 innings, the pitchers controlled the game. Barbers Hill picked up a hit in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th but Angelle got 6 Ks and a double play to prevent any damage by BH. Carmona meanwhile held the Cardinals in check. Octavio had to work out of one major jam in the 4th when he gave up a lead-off double. But he retired the next 3 batters to end the inning.
The 5th inning provided the next round of explosions. The Eagles touch Angelle for 5 runs. John Loranger started the rally with base-on-balls. Barrera singled placing runners at first and second. Both runners then advanced on a wild pitch. Colby Townley's ground out allowed Loranger to score and moved Barrera to 3rd. Carmona then swung at strike 3 in the dirt. Instead of throwing out Carmona at first, the catcher attempted to catch Barrera off at 3rd. But the throw was late and BH now had 2 runners on base. Senior Michael Padgett then connected on a 3-0 pitch for a 3-run homerun tying the game at 6.
But the euphoric feeling was once again short lived. Bridge City stormed right back getting 2 singles, a double and a homerun to regain the lead at 10-6. The Cardinals then added to their lead in the 6th with a single, 2 stolen bases, a sacrific fly and another homerun.
In the 7th, BH put up their final 2 runs with 2 outs. Campbell and Padgett singled. Both advanced on a throwing error. Hulsey then singled to right scoring both runners. But Angelle ended the game with another strikeout.
Winning pitcher Angelle went the distance. He put in a very gutsy performance. Angelle threw around 130 pitches striking out 17, gave up 10 hits, walked 1 and allowed 2 runners via 3rd strike but no put out at first.
Leading hitters for Barber Hill on the night were: Barrera 2 singles, Townley a single, Campbell 2 singles, Padgett a homerun and a single, Hulsey 2 singles, Ross Hales a single.
