Burnet baseball beats Lago Vista to remain in first place
CAPTION: Burnet junior pitcher Kade Shaw threw for five innings during the win against Lago Vista. Photo by Stennis Shotts
The Burnet High School baseball team defeated Lago Vista 6-2 March 24 to go to 5-0 in District 24-4A play.
What impressed head coach Russell Houston about his players is their refusal to quit.
“They’re just resilient,” he said. “We didn’t hit like we have. Their guy threw well, and we didn’t swing it. When we’re able to score the top half of the inning, it allows everyone to relax a little bit. You’re able to go throw strikes and you’re able to swing the bats.”
The game was tied 2-2 late when Burnet began stringing together hits. Jackson Crawford had a double “and another big hit,” Houston said, while Trenton Park also had a double “that started the big rally for us. It’s one of those things. Our kids were up to the challenge, they’re resilient. The big thing is as long as they do what they’re supposed to, they feel confident they’ll be able to win it.”
He noted the Bulldogs went back to the what helped them be successful this season.
“We have to go back to basics,” he said. “We didn’t have enough quality at-bats. When a pitcher makes a mistake, you have to be able to capitalize and not miss.”
Junior pitcher Kade Shaw threw for five innings and senior pitcher Braden Ellett-Clark took over for the final two innings.
“Kade was throwing really well,” Houston said. “I was talking to him, and he said, ‘I’m starting to get a little tired.’ He went out there in the sixth inning, and he walked a guy. Braden was throwing strikes and competed on the mound and made them swing it.”
The coach noted both teams forced each other to play their best for the outcome.
“You never were really comfortable,” the coach said. “I don’t think we took a deep sigh until the seventh inning when we had two outs and nobody on.
The district format changes this week for the next five weeks where the same two opponents will play each other on Tuesday and Friday. Burnet travels to Jarrell Tuesday, March 28, before welcoming the Cougars Friday, March 31, to Bulldog Diamonds. Game times are at 7 p.m.
“I like it,” Houston said of the format. “I like the fact you’ll see one opponent. You don’t have to worry about who the next opponent is (until you finish the two-game series). It’s enjoyable as a coach.”
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