BASEBALL: Bulldogs run-rule Canyon Lake to rid memory of earlier loss
BURNET — Burnet High School head baseball coach Todd Doucet smiled and had a simple explanation about why his team lost to Canyon Lake one night and then beat them four days later.
That’s just baseball.
The Bulldogs (14-5) lost to Canyon Lake (6-8), 2-1, Friday. But in the rematch Tuesday, Burnet pounded the Hawks, 17-2.
IN PHOTO:
Burnet infielder Dylan Lewis participates in fielding practice. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro“Canyon Lake has a really good pitcher in (senior) Ross Wagliardo,” Doucet said. “He made the pitches when he needed to.”
On Tuesday, Senior Hunter Ellett hit a home run in the first inning. But Canyon Lake tied the contest in the seventh and won in eight.
The Bulldogs stranded seven runners.
The match seemed to look like it would resemble Friday’s contest. Both teams scored a run in the first inning.
Then junior Kyler Payne recorded a double in the third inning.
“Everyone relaxed,” Doucet said. “We went to work.”
By the end, Burnet took a 7-1 lead.
And it only got better for the Bulldogs and worse for the Hawks in the fourth inning.
If the third was an onslaught, the fourth was an avalanche thanks to Burnet plating 10 runs.
Eight Bulldogs in the batting order recorded a hit and finished with 16 for the contest.
Senior Greg Parker recorded two triples in the same inning and finished with 2 RBIs off three hits.
Junior Grant Martin, senior Travis Hoffmiester and sophomore Ryan Funzheiher each recorded 3 RBIs.
“The most exciting play in baseball is the triple,” the coach said.
“We came out and put the ball in play,” he added.
Burnet was eager for another chance against Canyon Lake, Doucet said.
“We felt like we should have won the game Friday,” he said.
The Bulldogs will enjoy an open date Friday before hosting Llano in their District 8-3A opener.
“Our philosophy is we win at home,” Doucet said. “They believe we’re going to win at home.”