Arvest Bulldogs still alive at Super Series National tourney
Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/67429/
While the season is over for most of the Arvest Bulldogs, the younger pups continue to boost their baseball résumé.
Arvest’s younger squad along two other members of the varsity group who met the age requirements are currently competing in the Super Series 16-and-under National Championship Tournament in McKinney, Texas.
The group of juniors-to-be along with Mike Sisco and Adam Baker has powered its way to a 4-0 record so far against some of the region’s most apt on the diamond.
“ We’ve been able to put a lot of different guys in various situations on both teams to see how they react, ” said Scott Gallagher, Arvest skipper. “ I think we’ve gotten a lot out of the kids this summer. We really didn’t know what to expect from this younger group at this tournament but they’ve hit the ball extremely well.
“ We had 13 hits in a game and eight of the nine guys in the lineup got a hit so everyone is getting involved. That’s been a real positive and the guys have really progressed this summer. ”
Arvest opened pool play with a 9-8 win over Fort Worth Keller last Sunday. Sisco earned the win with Bryce Roberts picking up the first of three saves in the tournament.
The Bulldogs edged Dallas TPX Pop 96, 9-8, in their second match last Monday morning. Devin Williams notched the victory on the hill and Roberts against slammed the door in relief.
Arvest followed up that effort with a 5-3 win last Monday afternoon over an all-star squad based out of Paris, Texas. Clarke Smithson picked up the victory on the mound and Roberts secured the win in relief.
“ A lot of these teams are pretty good and some aren’t, so it’s a mixture, ” Gallagher said. “ We seen some of the better teams but I feel like our kids are playing well and could compete with any of them. ”
Arvest’s rematch with Keller on Tuesday failed to reached the dramatic crescendo of Sunday’s tilt. Arvest run-ruled Keller, 11-0, in the first round of bracket play. Zac Gibson tossed three scoreless innings without allowing a single hit and Ryan Dunn hurled two scoreless frames to preserve the shutout. Matt Stelte smacked a homer and a double amid the onslaught.
Gallagher said Baker and Gibson also carried their weight at the plate with solid performances.
“ Matt has hit the ball very well all week, ” Gallagher said. “ Baker and Gibson have also been big for us at the plate, coming up with big hits. ”
The Bulldogs will be pitted against Dallas TPX Pop 96 again today at 10: 45 a. m. in bracket play of the double-elimination format.
“ We’ve been fortunate to make it this far without a loss, ” Gallagher said. “ Now the pressure is on other teams to have to beat us twice. We feel pretty good about the experience we’re getting and how we’re coming together as a team against some good competition. ”