Center Roughriders Ballpark, Friday, May 5, 2017 –
The Center Roughriders Varsity Baseball team fell to the Kilgore Bulldogs 13-3 in Game 1 of a best-of-three game bi-district playoff series.
Center took a 2-0 lead, in the bottom of the second inning, using a Michael Ray double over the Bulldog’s Left fielder’s head, an infield hit by Logan Mitchell, and a two runs-batted-in double by Tyler Fountain.
A big rally for Kilgore, in the top of the third inning, saw the Bulldogs get five runs to lead 5-2, utilizing five hits, two walks and an error.
Center started the bottom half of third inning with Clay Snider singling to right field and Dalton Alexander reaching safely on an infield hit. Kilgore was able to retire the ‘Riders however by getting an out on a fly ball and by getting a double play to end the inning.
Collin Pippen drove in two KHS baserunners in the top of the fourth inning which gave Kilgore a 7-2 advantage. Kilgore added on three more runs in the fifth inning and went up 10-2. They added on another run in the sixth inning and their final run in top of the seventh.
Tyler Fountain alertly gave Center their first baserunner, in the bottom of the seventh frame, when he raced to first base after the Bulldogs’ catcher misplayed a third strike. He scored late in the inning on a passed ball to score the game’s final run.
The Bulldogs teamed up for 15 base hits. Center had five hits during the game. The Bulldogs held an 11-2 advantage over the ‘Riders for walks. KHS pitchers led Center 10-2 in strikeouts.
On Saturday, the Roughriders fell in Game 2 at Kilgore's Driller Park by a 2-0 score. Kilgore now advances to the Area round of the UIL Baseball Playoffs.
