Bulldogs shock Tigers in 7th inning rally
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

It wasn't the seventh game of the a World Series but Boling's baseball team and fans felt it was in Tuesday's game against Wharton at Tiger Field.

The Bulldogs scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to beat the Tigers 4-1.

"We couldn't ask for a bigger win," said Boling first year coach Chad Mc- Gee. "We came out and played a very good quality 3A team and got our first win of the year."

It was Boling's first time to beat Wharton in five tries. The Tigers won 13-6 last year at Bulldog Field in Newgulf.

"I know there's nothing sweeter for those kids and know it's a big rivalry," said McGee. "We played extremely hard and you couldn't ask for a better effort."

Wharton won 2-0 in 2006, 14-1 in 2005 and 12-0 in 2004. The 2003 game was rained out.

Boling had snapped a long losing streak against county rival East Bernard last season.

The win was the Bulldogs first against two losses and Wharton slipped to 1-4.

Boling had stranded several runners in scoring position earlier in the game.

"I just told the kids to keep plugging and the opportunities would be there," said McGee.

"We wanted to be aggressive and where we could match them."

McGee praised the Tigers for their efforts.

"My hats off to Floyd Ciruti because he does a great job over here and has a great program. They work hard."

The seventh started when Boling pitcher Sean Hollis reached on a oneout bunt single.

He was retired on bunts earlier in the game.

Hollis stole second and scored on double by Justin Hobbs, who went three for four in the game.

Kris Henson reached on a bloop single in left field and and error advanced runners to second and third.

Cody Boatwright came into game for Wharton starter Taylor Ustynik.

A fly ball by Trevor Archer dropped in center field and Hobbs scored to put the Bulldogs up 2-1.

Tanner Thompson then singled home Henson and Koby Sanchez followed with an RBI double.

Archer was thrown out at third and Copeland struck out to end the inning.

Hollis retired the Tigers in order in the bottom of the inning. He gave up three hits and struck out six.

"I couldn't ask for a better pitching performance from that kid," said Mc- Gee. "He has just been dynamic on the mound.

"I'm proud of him and each and every one of the kids. They played their hearts out."

Boling left runners at second in the first and third innings

Hobbs singled in the first and stole second. Sanchez reached on an error in the second. Jacob Copeland walked but Dustin Ortiz grounded out to end the second.

Wharton threatened in the bottom of the first. J.D Rivera reached on an infield single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by David Horta.

After Kris Looper lined out, Michael Mata walked but Lucas Munoz grounded out to end the inning.

Brian Cervenka led off the second with a walk and went to second on passed ball.

He scored on a single by Jesmond Grant. Ustynik and Ben Williams then grounded out.

Davis Horta was hit by a pitch in the third and stole second but was stranded.

Boling threatened in the fourth. Sanchez reached on a two-out error. Copeland then walked but Ortiz grounded out.

The Bulldogs threatened in the fifth. Hobbs reached on a bloop single with two outs but Horta robbed Henson of a hit with a great catch in center field.

Rivera reached on a two-out infield hit in the bottom of the inning but was stranded.

Boling threatened in the sixth. Archer singled and stole second. Thompson singled and Archer was thrown out at he plate

Sanchez blooped a double to center field and Thompson went to third. Copeland fouled out to Mata behind first and Ortiz struck out.

Hollis retired the Tigers in order in the bottom of the inning to set up the seventh.

Boling played Needville at the Rice Consolidated tournament in Altair on Friday.

The Bulldogs played a second round game against either host Rice or Palacios later in the day.

Boling plays at least one more game in the tournament today and plays at