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www.BurlesonCrowley.com
Elks fall short of playoffs
By By Jerrad Lindenmuth/sportsreporter@trcle.com
Apr 28, 2008, 19:09
BURLESON — Paschal’s 9-1 win over Burleson on Tuesday night at Burleson High School eliminated the Elks from playoff contention and secured a spot for the Panthers.
Entering Tuesday night, District 4-5A featured four teams, Paschal, Summit, Weatherford and Mansfield, tied for first at 10-4, with Burleson in fifth at 8-6.
Burleson’s loss ensured playoff spots for the four 10-4 teams.
Two-run home runs by shortstop Jonah Johnston and center fielder Geoffrey Davenport led the charge for Paschal (21-7, 11-4), which tagged Burleson (14-14, 8-7) pitchers Shane Broyles and Corey Bailey for 12 hits.
“We didn’t pitch well enough to win,” Burleson head coach Chris McKinley said. “We left some balls up, didn’t hit spots. We didn’t get the key hits or clutch hits that we needed like they did. They had quite a few clutch hits.”
Paschal jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning after leadoff batters Sergio Garcia and Kirby Campbell reached base on singles before catcher Jose Garcia drove them in with a double.
Johnston’s home run to left field brought home Garcia and gave Paschal starter Hoby Milner enough run support.
Burleson’s best chance to put runs on the board came in its half of the second inning, when right fielder Brad Shaeffer and catcher Mickey Anders drew walks, and designated hitter Will Grimes smacked a single to load the bases for the Elks with one out.
However, Milner settled down to strike out shortstop Daniel Montes and left fielder Cole England to end the inning.
“As good as pitchers as they threw at us with Milner and [Tyler] Nurdin, if we can’t capitalize when we get our chances, we’re going to be in trouble,” McKinley said.
Paschal hitters gave Milner two more runs of support in the fourth and three more in the sixth, two of which were delivered by the home run by Davenport, which easily cleared the right-center field fence.
Milner pitched six innings for the Panthers, allowing four hits and two walks, while notching 11 strikeouts. Nurdin pitched a hitless seventh to finish the game.
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