Abilene Wylie Capture First Ever State Championship

 

The Abilene Wylie baseball program has had an ample amount of success over the years.  The Bulldogs are regarded as a traditional power out of region I and have made it to the state tournament now seven times.  The one component that was missing was that state championship trophy and ring.

The wait finally ended on Thursday night from Disch Falk Field in Austin as the Bulldogs could celebrate their first championship in a 3-2 victory over the Salado Eagles.

 

Game Summary

Wylie’s Mack Mueller was the story line early on in this ball game.

Offensively, Mueller drove in the first run of the ball game for the Bulldogs, grounding out to shortstop.  Wylie added on another lone run in the second as Riley Hedge hit a double over the left fielder’s head that ended up going all the way to the wall.

Meanwhile, on the mound, Mueller was dominant.  He allowed no hits through the first two innings and cruised through the third.  After three complete, the Rice commit had already struck out three and had yet to give up a base knock.

Offensively, Wylie continued to stay consistent, pushing across another run in the third as Gist singled up the middle, driving in courtesy runner Brady Horn.

The game would pick up tempo throughout the 4th and 5th innings as neither team could get much going offensively – and Wylie still maintained their 3-0 lead and Mueller still had yet to give up a base hit.

The top of the 6th would prove to be the biggest inning of the ball game. After a harmless ground out, Ryan Dunnahoo would draw a one-out walk for the Eagles.  Phillip Ellis then put a slow grounder in play to the right side, beating out the throw from the second baseman.

Cody Wolf would single to left – and the Eagles not only had their first two hits – but also had the bases loaded and only one out. Dobbins proceeded to work the count and drew a 3-2 walk to bring the game to 3-1.  Jacob Wilk sent a grounder up the middle that neither the 2nd baseman nor shortstop could handle, and now the Bulldogs lead was down to one at 3-2.

Basham was up next.  The call from Coach Krempin was the squeeze, but the bunt was popped up.  Wylie’s 3B John Tople made a diving play to catch the ball before returning to third unassisted to get the dramatic and unusual double play to end the threat.

Mueller would walk leadoff hitter Lightfoot to begin the 7th, but shut the door by inducing a fly out followed up by two ground outs to end the game and give the Bulldogs the championship.  Mueller earned MVP honors for his performance on the mound.

 

Top Hitting Performances

Mack Mueller, Abilene Wylie, 1-3, 1 RBI

Bryce Gist, Abilene Wylie, 1-3, 1 RBI

Riley Hedge, Abilene Wylie, 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Jacob Wilk, Salado, 1-3, 1 RBI

Phillip Ellis, Salado, 1-2, 1 R

 

Top Pitching Performances

Mack Mueller, Abilene Wylie, 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Cody Wolf, Salado, 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

 

Score By Innings	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Salado	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	3	2
Abilene Wylie	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	5	1