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Second Baptist Continues Turnaround, Clouts Beaumont Kelly Catholic 6-1

Second Baptist’s turnaround season continued Monday as they beat the Defending State Champion Beaumont Kelly Catholic 6-1 in the first TAPPS Division II Semifinal Game. At one time, 11-12 and 5-5 in district, Second Baptist has now won 7 of their last 8 including 3 playoff games to propel them into the State Championship Game on Tuesday.

Second Baptist got on the board first in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Thomas Womble singled and stole second base. With two outs, Jace Trozzo singled Womble home giving Second Baptist a 1-0 lead.

Kelly Catholic tied the game in the top of the 4th. A Gage Lawdermilk walk and a Ryan Brown double put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Harrison Williams flied out to centerfield on the next at bat but it was deep enough to score Lawdermilk.

The game didn’t stay tied long. Womble and Trozzo walked and with 2 outs, Wes Baker launched a shot over the left field wall for a 3 run home run. That made it 4-1 for Second Baptist. They picked up two more runs in the bottom of the 5th on a Christian McCleary 2 RBI single increasing their lead to 6-1.

Kelly loaded the bases in the bottom of the 7th but relief pitcher

While the offense was scoring runs, Second Baptist pitcher was busy holding them to just run. He pitched 6.1 innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 run on 5 BB and 7 Ks.

Wes Baker was named the THSB Division II Semifinal Game MVP. His home run in the 4th inning was the turning point of the game. “Their left handed pitcher really got after us last time. Hopping on him early helped us. We capitalized on it, got some knocks and scored some runs.”

Second Baptist Head Coach Rayner Noble commented on the game: “Carson Bratcher was outstanding on the mound today. Anytime you can take the game into the 7th inning, you are doing a great job. And he did today. Wes has been clutch for us all year long. He got an off-speed pitch, lifted up in the air and man, it wasn’t fair by very much but we sure are glad it was.”

“This team has come out of nowhere. We were really struggling about halfway through district. We came alive and started hitting at the right time. I’m really proud of my guys. You talk about a team that has a lot of fight in them, that is these guys.”