The Blanco baseball team continued their playoff path with a Regional Semi-final win against the Banquete Bulldogs this past weekend. In the best two-of-three series Blanco won 2-0. Playing at the Jourdanton High School baseball field Friday, May 24, Blanco run-ruled the Bulldogs 12-2 in six innings. Saturday, May 25 the Panthers won 12-3.
AJ Briscoe pitched the distance Friday, going six innings, striking out seven and scattering five hits. At the plate Justin Wardlow, Baylor Smith and Dylan LaRue all had two hits. Tyler LaRue singled and had two RBI. Jackson Hunter doubled and had one RBI. Griffin Johnson hit a single and scored three runs. Austin Van Pelt singled with an RBI.
Walton Daves got the win on the mound Saturday going four innings and scattering four hits. Lane Lowak came in relief in the fifth inning and went three innings, striking out three with just one hit. Hunter had three hits and scored three runs. Tyler LaRue tripled and singled with one RBI. Johnson had two hits with two RBI. Daves singled with two RBI. Eddie Calzoncit doubled and scored two runs. Smith doubled with one RBI. Wardlow and Dylan LaRue hit singles.
When a few seniors were asked about playing in round five of the playoffs; the Regional Final, they responded with the following:
“Feels good getting this far after three years of not getting past round three, especially in my senior year,” said Eddie Calzoncit. “I couldn’t feel more confident with this year’s team just because of how close we all are. I think that’s why we all play good together.”
“To get to round five in my senior year is amazing,” Tyler LaRue. “To be the first team in 12 years to make it to the Regional Final is awesome! This year our team has played very well together.”
Senior pitcher, AJ Briscoe, also spoke of the team solidarity.
“Getting to the fifth round makes me feel like all of my hard work is paying off,” he said. “All of the players on this team have played together since Little League and we have such good chemistry together.”
The Panthers will use all this confidence, team-spirit and chemistry to battle the Bishop Badgers for the Region IV 3-A title in a best two-of-three series. Blanco holds a 30-4 season record. Bishop is 31-8 on the season. Game one is scheduled for Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. at the Jourdanton High School baseball field. Friday, May 31 the BHS seniors will walk the stage at graduation to receive their diplomas. Saturday the Panthers return to the diamond in Jourdanton for game two at 2 p.m. Game three will follow 30 minutes after game two, if necessary.
Photos by Denise Wagner
AJ Briscoe pitched all six innings of the 12-2 run-rule win Friday, May 24 against the Banquete Bulldogs in game one of the Regional Semi-final playoff at the Jourdanton High School baseball field.
