DIAMOND ‘DOGS DROP HJ | Whataburger OBC ends with a bang; Central Heights closes out Farmers, too
Cason Edney’s RBI single to left field scored Cade Cox with what would be the game-winning run – the only run – in the bottom of the fifth inning and sent Kilgore High School’s Diamond Dogs to a 1-0 victory over Hardin-Jefferson on Saturday afternoon at historic Driller Park.
Edney’s timely hitting was just what Kilgore’s coach, Eugene Lafitte, needed in the second-place game on a beautiful day for baseball to close the 59th annual Whataburger Oil Belt Baseball Classic.
Hits and runs came at a premium for both the Hawks (5-4) and Bulldogs (6-2-1).
Central Heights improved to 4-0 in the tournament, beating Farmersville 4-0 in the championship contest. In their wins the ninth-ranked Blue Devils outscored their opponents 24-4, improving to 8-0 this season.
In earlier games: Harmony blanked Sabine 12-0, and New Diana spilled the Tyler Legacy junior varsity 8-2.
“This was a good win for us,” Lafitte said following the contest.
It was Kilgore’s third win in a row after an opening-night classic loss to Farmersville and gives the ‘Dogs momentum going into their district opener against Center (at Center) on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Sophomore Brody Benson collected his first win of the season, going 4 2/3 strong innings on the mound. He scattered three hits, struck out seven, walked five and his defense behind him backed him up when necessary.
Another sophomore, Colt Bullard, came in to close out the final 1 1/3 innings in relief, for his initial save of the season.
Benson pitched out of a jam in the third, getting Bryton Abney in a 1-3-6 (Benson to Colt Bullard to Todd House) rundown, before getting leadoff hitter Luke McLeod on a caught stealing throw from sophomore catcher Kason Henry to House in the top of the fourth inning.
McCloud was the first of three batters Benson walked in the inning and it took a flyball put out by Cade Henry in center field, and the throw home to his cousin Kason Henry to complete the double play and retire the runner, coming home to score.
The Hawks stranded six baserunners four of those in scoring position, while Kilgore left only four on base with two in scoring position.
Cole Chaisson worked the final two innings in relief of starter Owen Sieve. Sieve allowed only one hit, striking out three. Tanner Beets had the single off Sieve and was Kilgore’s leading hitter, going 2-for-3. Chaisson allowed four hits.
Joining Beets with hits for the Bulldogs were Kason Henry, Cade Henry and Edney.
Hardin-Jefferson managed four hits, two by Maddux Harrod, to go with a double by Gunner Sattler and single by Abney.
Thanks to Whataburger, specifically Jack and Susan Moore and DKT Investments, on behalf of everyone involved with the classic, including ETBlitz.com, as one of our major sponsors, as well, and if you’d like to visit Whataburger’s menu, do so right here, right now: Whataburger | Order Online with Curbside and Delivery. They’re open all the time, so you don’t have to wait!
Other sponsors for the classic this year were Triple Play Sports, 5 Star Performance, ABA Aesthetics, Allen Bryson, Beets Energy, Citizens Bank, Geonix LP, K&F Industries, Kilgore Quick Care, Kilgore Tire Center, Magen Edmonson Realtor, Maxey Cerliano, McKinney Measurement, Mosby Mechanical, National Wholesale Supply, Noble Roofing, Pine Tar Sports, Rig Runners, RLM General Contractors, Sherwin Williams, Sherwood Wealth Partners, Silvertooth Family Dental, Southern Supply, Tatum Crane and Verabank. Hospitality room sponsors this year were Whataburger, as well as Zen Kitchen, Venecia’s Italian Kitchen, The Back Porch, Chick-Fil-A, Don Chepes, and The Burrito Shop.
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