Correction in original article: TJ Aguilar has a 3-1 record as pitcher with a 2.14 ERA. Tyler Perez is 2-2 with a 4.42 ERA
The regular season didn?t end the way the coaches or the players wanted with back to back district losses, something that hasn?t happen in years. But if you are a ?glass half-full” type of player, you see the losses as a motivator going into the UIL playoffs which start next week. {{more}}
In the final week of play in the regular season, Kennedale dropped games to Venus 6-1 and Alvarado 9-3. Venus claimed the district championship (11-1) by winning 2 of 3 games with Kennedale (10-7-1, 9-3). Even though Kennedale lost to Alvarado, they remained in second place, having won 2 of 3 from Alvarado and sweeping Godley and Diamond Hill.
As preparation for the playoffs, Kennedale has lined up a couple of teams to play this weekend. Friday night playing at home, the Wildcats will take on Nevada Community High School. Nevada Community finished in second place in District 12-4A with a record of 9-5, 7-3. And then Saturday in Athens, the Cats will face-off against the #10 ranked Athens Hornets, winners of District 13-4A with a record of 19-5, 8-0.
Next week the Wildcats will play the Bridgeport Bulls in first round playoff action, time and place to be determined. The Bulls are third place finishers in District 8-4A with a record of 9-9, 5-4. UIL4A Region 1-3 Playoff Brackets
Head Coach Paul Trantham hopes to make a run in Region I but he said after the bi-district match the winner will have a good chance of facing Abilene Wylie and Iowa Park, both top ten teams before region play. The Wildcats made it to the second round last year, losing to Stephenville in a best of three series.
Kennedale is going to have to count on its seniors on this senior dominated team for play and leadership. It was their sophomore year that the Wildcats last reached the region semis, losing then to Lubbock
Cooper in a best of three series.
Seniors Jake Michener (33 At Bats) leads the team with .455 batting average followed by Tyler Perez (27 AB) with .444 and Aaron Williams (35 AB) with .400. Hitting above .300 are Steven Murchison (61) .377, Alan Sather (31) .355, Bradley Woodard (26) .346, Cody Bassaller (46) .326, Colton Jakibusan (31) .323, Austin Eggleston (49) .306 and Shane O?Connor (53) .302. All are seniors except juniors Cody Bossaller and Colton Jakibusan. Woodard has missed several weeks due to injury.
Murchison leads the team in hits with 23 hits and 14 RBIs followed by O?Connor with 16 hits and 14 RBIs. Other leaders with hits and RBIs are Michener 15/10, Bossaller 15/8, Eggleston 15/11, Williams 14/6, Perez 12/6 and Sather 11/6.
The core of pitching centers around Austin Eggleston and TJ Aguilar both with 3-1 records and 2.10 and 2.14 ERA?s respectively.
Tonight?s game starts a 7:30 p.m at Jet Teague Ballpark at Kennedale High School.
