Cats fall in Region 1 Quarterfinals 2-0 to once beaten Godley

It was the game that was expected ? a low scoring affair with just 2 runs; strong pitching on both sides combining for 19 strikeouts; a few scattered hits with a grand total of 7; and, 11 runners left on base. {{more: continue …}}

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background …?

Kennedale knew what to expect from the #3 team in Class 4A. They had played Godley once earlier in the season and had come away on the short end of a 7-0 score. Godley, with just one defeat this year, was at the top of their game.

So far in the current playoff run, they had blown through their first four games by a combined score of 46-2, outhitting their opponents 51-10. That worked out to 11.5 runs and 12.8 hits per game.

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This was almost the same team that had made a deep run into the playoffs the past two years. And, the Kennedale Wildcats knew, that with just one game on the line, they would face Godley?s number one ace, Brett Brown, who was a Texas A&M commit.

But, Kennedale had earned their shot in the playoffs with their own senior laden team. And the last time that Kennedale had a better winning percentage was in? 2011, the year of the Wildcats’ won the state title. It also had been years since Kennedale had captured a district championship with an undefeated record. The 2018 Wildcats had earned their district title by going 12-0.?

?the game summary …??

• For Godley, Brown did his job, frustrating Kennedale batters all night. Brown faced 26 batters throwing 67 strikes in 104 pitches (.644), getting 10 strike outs while allowing 2 hits 2 walks and no runs. He had 10 groundouts/flyouts.?

• Kennedale?s Bryce Hackett was almost as equally frustrating for Godley’s high-power hitters. He pitched a full game, facing 26 batters throwing 69 strikes in 105 pitches (.657) striking out 9 while allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with one walk. He had 8 groundouts/flyouts.

• Opportunities at the plate for Kennedale were limited to just few. Getting hits for Kennedale Wildcats were JD Pagett and Brandon Jones. Two Wildcats managed to get on base by walk with one each for Austin Crabtree and Cade Thompson.

• Kennedale’s best scoring opportunities came in the top of the 7th as the Cats were facing elimination. Aaron Herrera, the?first batter up and on a 0-2 count, reached on a ground ball error. Next batter up, Brandon Jones, singled on his second pitched to center field. Kennedale, at that point, had a rally going with 2 on and no outs.?

• ?Pitcher Bryce Hackett came to the plate and immediately hit a sacrifice bunt moving the two runners over to the #2 and #3 postions. Hackett was out at first.?

• With the tying run at 2nd and the go ahead at the plate, Kennedale was set to do some damage. However, Godley?s Brown, lived up to his billing and coolly struck out the next two Kennedale batter, both on 0-2 counts.

Kennedale finished the season at 17-7-1 and 12-0 in district play with one of their best winning percentages since the 2011 state title team. That team finished on top of Class 3A with a record of 31-5-1.

2018 UIL Baseball State Championships ? Region 1 & 3 Bracket