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The Kennedale Wildcat varsity baseball team started out right with a 2-0 win over Vernon in a best 2 of three area playoff series on Thursday evening at Abliene Christian University. The scene changes to Graham High School today as Kennedale needs to win just one more. {{more: continue …}}
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Thursday night it was Jared Taylor on the mound pitching a complete game in the 4-hittter no run game. In seven innings, Taylor faced 23 batters, throwing 52 strikes in just 76 pitches (.684), getting 6 strikes outs while walking no one and allowing no runs on four hits. Taylor finished the game with 5 inning facing just 3 batters in each.
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But it was a pitchers? game as Kennedale was stymied for a big part of the game, getting just 5 hits in their 2 run game. The Cats scored once in the 3rd and once in the 6th.
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The first run for the Wildcats came in the third when the first batter, JD Padgett walked, a bunt by Austin Crabtree led into a fielder?s choice that caught courtesy runner Tyler Aguilar out at second but left Crabtree safely on first. Third batter up, Cade Thompson singled to left field moving Crabtree to third. A pop out by Reed Saenz gives Crabtree a chance to score for Kennedale?s first score. A ground out on the next play ends Kennedale?s chances for a second run for the inning.
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Kennedale second score came in the bottom of the 6th that started with a ground out. The second batter up Aaron Herrera, on a 2-1 count, hit a single to left field. Brandon Jones followed that with a first pitch double to left field moving Herrera to 3rd. Bryce Hackett popped out as the next batter but in the process Herrera scores for the final run of the game. Vernon went three and out in the top of the 7th to end the game.
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Brandon Jones had 2 hits including a double in 3 at bats. Cade Thompson was 2 for 3 while Aaron Herrera was 1 for 3 with one run. Both Bryce Hackett and Luke Michener had walks. Defensively Kennedale had one double play, Crabtree (2nd) to Hackett (shortstop) in top of 1st .?Game 2 is at Graham High School starting at 1 p.m today with Game 3, if needed, following 45 minutes later.?
