Bulls out-hit Decatur 11-5 but fall short where it counts
By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, April 30, 2009
Three weeks ago the Decatur High School baseball team used a clutch fifth inning hit and a Bridgeport error to rally from behind to beat the Bulls. Friday's rematch had the same look to it, only the game was decided in the final at bat.
Bridgeport was three outs away from upsetting Decatur and securing a spot in the state playoffs when it carried a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh. However, that's where Decatur found yet another way to leave the Bulls speechless as it scored two runs in almost the same way it did in the first meeting to come from behind for a 6-5 home victory.
DHS's Ryan Cangley drew a lead-off walk and was followed by a single by Brennan Moore. That's when the game got away from Bridgeport as Colton Parker was safe at first on a hit, and a throwing error allowed Cangley and Moore to score for the Eagles.
The win, coupled with a thrilling 11-10 victory over Vernon on Saturday, gave Decatur the District 5-3A championship at 9-1 in league play and 16-8 overall. Despite the loss, Bridgeport (5-5, 14-10) is headed to the state playoffs for the first time since 2002 after Burkburnett beat Iowa Park, which gave the Bulls a one-game edge for the third and final postseason spot.
Bridgeport, which out-hit DHS 11-5, appeared ready to reverse the Decatur curse as it jumped on the hosts from the start. In fact, the Bulls scored four times in their first at bat to take a 4-0 lead.
The first four Bridgeport batters hit their way on base to blow things open in a hurry. Diego Hernandez, Austin Blevins and Kyle Parker led off with singles before scoring on a three-run double to left field by Blake Waldrep to make it 3-0.
The Eagles finally got the first out of the game when Collin White grounded out, but Waldrep found his way home on a sacrifice hit by Chase Pemberton to take a 4-0 lead.
Decatur only managed one hit in the bottom of the inning, but it counted as Colton Parker blasted a home run to trim the deficit to 4-1.
After getting rattled in the first inning, DHS pitcher Justin Tompkins found his groove and shut out the Bulls in each of the next five innings to give his team a chance to battle back.
White, who got the call on the mound for Bridgeport, held the Eagles without a run in the next three innings before the silence ended in the fifth.
The Eagles loaded the bases with two outs thanks to singles via Francisco Perez and Parker and a walk issued to Brennan Moore. Tompkins and Harrison were each walked in, and Moore scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 4-4.
Ricky Martinez took over the pitching duties for the Bulls and held Decatur scoreless in the sixth inning, while Tompkins did not allow a run for DHS to leave the game knotted at 4-4 going into the final inning.
The Bulls took the lead once again with one run in the top of the seventh inning. Kyle Parker, who got on base via a fielder's choice, made his way home on a triple by Waldrep to put Bridgeport in front 5-4 before Decatur's stunning finish in the bottom half of the inning.
