Championship Game Lufkin

Pete Runnels Texas Shootout

Kingwood Mustangs versus Bryan Vikings

At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2004, Kingwood took the field for the second year in a row in the championship game of the Lufkin Pete Runnels Texas Shootout.

Kingwood went into the top of the 4^th inning in a tight 0-0 ball game. Whittleman led off the 4^th inning with a walk; moved to second base on a passed ball; and went to third base on a Bryan error on an infield ground ball hit by DH Ryan Mize. With one out, Mize created a run down situation that provided opportunity for Whittleman to slide across the plate with the Mustangs’ first run.

Sophomore Ryan Torres got the start for the Mustangs and went 9 batters up and 9 batters down in the first 3 innings. He received outstanding defensive support from shortstop Whittleman. In the 2^nd inning, Whittleman made a strong play in the hole and followed with an outstanding play ranging up the middle to throw out two Vikings on well hit ground balls.

Torres, performing like a poised veteran, went into the bottom of the 4^th inning with a 1-0. After a single by the leadoff hitter, the Vikings attempted to sacrifice the runner to 2^nd base. On the bunt, the 2 hole hitter popped the ball up in the air where it was caught by the hard charging third baseman Greg Gossett. Torres retired the next two batters and left the game after 4 full innings with a 1-0 lead.

Kingwood added some cushion in the top of the 5^th inning. With two outs and a 0-2 count, Gossett ripped a double over the first baseman’s head that went all the way to the fence in the rightfield corner. Next, Junior centerfielder and 2 hole hitter, Kenneth Negron, hit a slow roller towards the second baseman that was beat out for an infield hit. Gossett, running on Negron’s swing and with two outs, clipped the inside of the third base bag as directed by a wind milling Kingwood head coach, David Denny. A slide across the plate with Kingwood’s second run shocked the Bryan Vikings - a two base advancement on an infield hit.

Kingwood added to the lead in the top of the 6^th inning. Sophomore right fielder Doug Simmons singled. A single by Mize followed that moved Simmons to third. He stayed there until Junior second baseman, Josh Fountain, came to the plate with two outs. Playing David Denny Kingwood baseball, Fountain laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line to drive in Simmons. A bunt so well laid that it did not draw a throw to first base to catch the streaking Fountain. Still stunned by the way Kingwood had created the 3 Mustang runs, the Bryan Vikings pitcher grooved one of the few fast balls that he threw that day. Junior leftfielder A.J. Pendleton blasted the fast ball into the left centerfield gap for a double that scored the speedy Fountain all the way from 1^st base.

After 5 ½ innings of play the score was Kingwood 4 and Bryan 0.

Senior pitcher Jimmy Jordan took the mound in the 5^th inning and had little problem with the Vikings. Jordan breezed through the 6^th inning. Jordan completed two full innings while giving up no hits and no runs and retiring 6 of 7 batters (one HBP).

Kingwood added an insurance run in the top of the 7^th inning as inserted Junior centerfielder Kyle Denny doubled into the right centerfield gap and was singled home by Simmons. After 6 ½ innings the score was Kingwood 5 and Bryan 0.

Closer Jonathan Beaty came in to finish the game and help the Mustangs win their second straight Pete Runnels Texas Shootout Championship.

Offensive Summary:

Simmons 2-4, 1 run scored. 1 RBI

Gossett 1-3 double, 1 run scored

Negron 1-3, 1 stolen base

Whittleman 2 walks

Mize 1-3, 1 stolen base

Fountain 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI

Pendleton 1-1, double, 1 RBI

Seitz 1-3

Denny 1-1, 1 run scored