Burnet baseball defeats Jarrell to begin district play
CAPTION: The Burnet Bulldogs’ win against Jarrell gave head coach Russell Houston his 300th career victory as a coach in more than two decades in the profession. Photo by Jacob Atkinson/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School baseball team scorched Jarrell 11-1 March 5 in the District 24-4A opener for both teams.
“To start off district with a win is always a good thing,” head coach Russell Houston said. “It sets the tone for everything else. I think anytime you can win games on the road, it’s a good thing.”
The Bulldogs led 3-0 thanks to a “big hit” by Will Johnson. The fifth inning, when Jarrell changed pitchers, is when Burnet built the lead the Cougars couldn’t catch.
Noah Crawford produced at the plate as did Trey Morrow, who went 2 for 3 at the plate with a walk.
“He was consistent,” the coach said.
Senior pitcher Dash Denton earned the win, allowing only one run on four hits in seven innings of work.
“There weren’t many walks,” Houston said. “He did enough to keep them at bay and pitched consistently all night.”
Houston noted Jarrell senior pitcher Carter Kammlah settled into a nice rhythm.
“He was pretty good,” the coach said.
The victory gave Houston his 300th career win. He is in his 24th year as a coach, 17th as a head coach.
“That was good to get that out of the way,” he said. “The kids knew it. We played well enough to win and do what we needed to do. It’s between 300 to 400 kids who helped you get to that milestone.”
District members will play each other three times during the campaign. Burnet winning decisively illustrates all the elements a baseball team must have to be successful. The Bulldogs have taken a step in winning the series against the Cougars.
“To get the first one on the road is pretty big,” Houston said. “I think it sets the tone for the series. You’re sitting one up on them. I think the district win is way more important. The 300 is a longevity thing.”
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