Burnet baseball battles back, runs out of outs in loss to Jarrell

The Burnet High School baseball team lost to Jarrell 8-5 March 28 for its first loss in District 24-4A.

The Bulldogs (5-1) trailed soon after the game started.

“We didn’t pitch well at all,” Burnet head coach Russell Houston said. “We gave up seven runs in the first inning on two hits. We competed and battled back and didn’t have enough in the end.”

A pitching change was made after two outs in the first inning. Junior Dash Denton was the third pitcher, who allowed only one run in the sixth inning. During his 4 2/3 innings, he struck out seven.

Meanwhile, Burnet set out to climb out of the hole. That happened in the fifth inning when they plated four runs.

“We had great at-bats and competed,” Houston said. “You’re down 7-1 and have a chance to tie it with runners on second and third with two outs. And you’re hoping for that (batter) to pass the stick. Your kids are believing. You hit the ball hard to somebody in right field (who makes the out). He had a play to make.”

Had that ball dropped, as it’s done numerous times this season, the Bulldogs at least tie the contest at 7, Houston noted.

“We’ve always put up runs with runners on second and third,” he said. “We’ve had base hits. We just didn’t get the hit at that point and time.”

Denton helped his own cause with an RBI. Will Johnson had 3 hits, while Jackson Crawford had 2.

Burnet welcomes the Cougars for a 7 p.m. first pitch Friday, March 31, to Bulldog Diamonds to finish the week and decide the winner of the three-game series.

“It helps,” Houston said. “What really helps is going through the first round of district not losing a game. That’s more of a benefit. You’ve given yourself a good start to everything. We’re still in a good position as far as the eventual goal. It’s hard to beat somebody three times. ”

The coach said he saw plenty of positives, including the never-give-up attitude from the Bulldogs.

“You hope your kids can battle back,” he said. “You go grind and give them a chance to win.”

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