Wildcats in top 25 at 6-0-1

After two weeks of play Kennedale Wildcat baseball remains undefeated with only a tie to blemish their record at 6-0-1. The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association poll have the Wildcats in the top 25 in Class 4A at #22. {{more: continue …}}

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But this weekend?s tournament in Midlothian will be a real test for the Cats. Kennedale will take on #15 Iowa Park (7-0), #18 Midlothian Heritage (4-2), #25 China Springs (4-3-2) and then #3 Godley (6-0).

On top of that, the Wildcats will open district play next week against Mineral Wells and Castleberry and will need some fresh arms.

Game Updates:

South Hills ? Friday, March 2, 2018 (T) 5-5

• This was a tournament game played with a time limit and one that was called in the bottom of the 6th knotted at 5. The Wildcats seemed a little baffled at the plate getting just 5 hits. Kennedale has average 10.5 hits over their first 4 games.?

#2 JD Padgett (So) hit a triple in the South Hills game, was one of the few who was able to get a hit as the Cats had only 5 hits in the 5-5 game _ photo from Stephenville game by Staci Otts

• It was a seesaw game with Kennedale getting the first run and lead in the bottom of the 1st. South Hills matched that with a run in the top of the 2nd. The Cats took back the lead again with a single run in the bottom of the 3rd. But in the top of the 4th, South Hills got their first lead with 2 runs in the top of the 4th followed by another run in the 5th for a 4-2 lead. Kennedale bounced back with 3 runs in the bottom half of the 5th to regain the lead at 5-4. In the 6th, South Hills got a single run to tie the game at 5 and the Wildcats were unable to score in the bottom of the inning. The game was called because of the time regulation before the 7th could start.

• Four Wildcats had hits in the game with Aaron Herrera going 2-3 with 3 RBIs and a triple. JD Padgett hit a triple along with singles by Austin Crabtree and Reed Sanchez.

• Aaron Herrera pitched 5 innings getting 57 strikes on 103 throws with 5 strikeouts, 4 walks and allowing 4 runs on 6 hits.?

Everman ? Saturday, March 3 (W) 20-1?

• With a huge 12 run blowout in the first inning, the Wildcats completely dominated the Everman Bulldogs in a 20-1 win in tournament play. The game went 4 innings with the Cats scoring 6 more in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd. Everman managed 1 hit, 1 run and 5 errors in the game.

#3 Bryce Hackett (Sr) was 3-4 with 4RBIs in the Everman game. He was one of 5 Wildcats with multiple hits in the 20-1 win _ photo from Stephenville game by Staci Otts

• Whatever happened the day before against South Hills, it was different this day as Kennedale almost doubled their hitting average per game with 18 hits, scoring 20 with 1 error. Austin Crabtree got the win pitching 4 innings, facing 19 batters, throwing 37 strikes in 73 pitches, striking out 6 and walking 6.

• Nine Wildcats got hits with four getting doubles. For the Wildcats, Austin Crabtree went 3-3 with 3 RBIs and a double; Bryce Hackett was 3-4 with 4 RBIs and a double; Reed Saenz was 3-3 with 2RBIs and a double; Jace Warren was 3-4 with a RBI; Savala Swanson was 1-1 with 3 RBIs; Aaron Herrera 2-3 with an RBI and a double. Also getting hits were JD Padgett (2 RBIs), Brandon Jones and Omari Jones (1 RBI). Jared Taylor had a base on balls and earned 2 RBIs.?

Stephenville ? Saturday, March 3 (W) 6-4?

• Kennedale started well in this game, scoring 4 in the first helped by a two-run homer by Aaron Herrera. The Cats followed with 2 in the 3rd to take a 6-0 lead after three innings of play.

#9 Aaron Herrera (Sr) was hot at the plate for the Cats in the last three games, getting 7 hits with a 2 run homerun, a triple, 2 doubles and 8 RBIs _ photo from Stephenville game by Staci Otts

• While Kennedale did not cross the plate again, Stephenville tried to make a run scoring 3 in the 4th and scored another in the top of the 7th with 2 outs but Kennedale pitcher Zace Warren got fly out to Aaron Herrera to end any thought of a rally.

• Stephenville had 4 runs on 6 hits with 1 error. Kennedale had 6 runs on 11 hits with 2 errors. Bryce Hackett pitched 3.2 innings allowing no runs on 3 hits with 5 strikeouts, 1 walk while facing 14 batters, throwing 31 strikes in 49 pitches. Ethan Wood pitched for 3 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits, striking out 2 and walking 1 while facing 15 batters throwing 27 strikes in 48 pitches. Jace Warren?pitched a third of an inning while facing 1 batter throwing 4 pitches and allowing 1 hit and no runs.

• Hitting for Kennedale: Aaron Herrera 3-4, 2 RBIs, 1 HR, 1 double; Luke Michener 2-4, 1 RBI; Bryce Hackett 2-4, double; JD Padgett 2-4; Reed Saenz 1-3; and, Brandon Jones 1-3.