Photo source: KHS Facebook
Article Updated 5/11/23 1:00 pm – Correction made in the article for the location of the 3rd game
For the 20-8-2 Kennedale Wildcats, it was all business last week when they took on FW Carter-Riverside Cougars in the first round of the UIL State Baseball Playoffs.
Kennedale, the 2nd seed from District 10/4A, won the bi-district title by defeating the Cougars in a best-of-three series. Kennedale won it in two games, 33-0 and 12-0. Carter-Riverside was the 3rd seed from District 9/4A and finished the year with an overall record of 6-13.
The Cats now advance to play the Celina Bobcats (29-4). Celina is coming off a bi-district series with Dallas Lincoln winning in two games by the identical score of 15-0. Lincoln was the 4th seed from District 12/4A, finishing behind Dallas Pinkston (14-3), North Dallas (14-10), and Dallas Carter (8-15).
Celina was the 1st seed out of District 11/4A, sweeping the district 12-0. Aubrey finished second in the district at 16-12, 8-4.
THSBA ranked Celina #2 in their latest state 4A poll. Godley from District 10/4A comes in 8th place in the same poll.
The only common opponent between the two was the Stephenville Yellowjackets. Kennedale lost the game 2-1 on 3-18-23 while Celina won 5-4 in a game played on 2-25-23. Celina has had 10 shutouts this season while Kennedale has had 7. Celina has had 77 points scored on them in 33 games (2.33 average). Kennedale has had 73 points scored against the team in 30 games (2.43).
Round Two starts this week …
Needless to say, this is an imposing challenge to Kennedale. The two teams will play a best-of-three series.
- Game 1 is set for this Thursday at home in Kennedale beginning at 7 pm.
- Game 2 will follow on Friday, May 12 at Celina. First pitch also at 7 pm.
- Game 3, as needed, will be played at Coppell HS on Saturday at 7 pm. (This has been updated to show the correct location)
A look back at the Carter-Riverside series …
Game One: 33-0 Kennedale
- Yes, the score was 33-0 and there was a lot of hitting in this game, 16 by the batters and 7 by the pitchers for the Cougars. Add in 19 walks and you have the game story, Kennedale couldn’t stay off the bases. The Cats had only 3 strikeouts.
- The winning pitcher was Ryan Dembroski who allowed 2 hits, no runs, one walk, and 4 strikeouts while facing 12 batters. Dylan Harrison came in relief allowing 1 hit, no runs, and 3 strikeouts. Harrison faced 6 batters.
- Four Wildcats hit doubles – Ryan Dembroski, Phillips, Kelsen Martin, and Scout Steinhilber. Kennedale scored 4 in the first, 6 in the 2nd, 9 in the 3rd, and 7 in both the 4th and 5th innings.
Game Two: 12-0 Kennedale
- This was a little more traditional game with the Cats winning on 12 runs, 12 hits, 8 RBIs, 2 walks, and just 1 strikeout.
- The winning pitcher was Addison Jamie who had 2 hits, no runs, and 4 strikeouts. He faced 15 batters in 4 innings. Kelsen Martin, in relief, pitched a no-hitter in one inning of play when he faced 3 batters throwing 8 strikes in 8 pitches with one strikeout.
- Chris Favela had a double and Nevyn Johnson had a triple. Johnson had a 3-hit game with 3 runs scored. Ryan Dembroski and Chase Evans each had 2 RBIs for the game. Evan Massey had a 2 hit game including 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.
