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Bulldogs headed for state By Scott Joiner Thorndale took one step closer to a second state title this spring, beating the Shiner Comanches in two straight games. The win puts the Bulldogs in the state semi-finals, which begin Wednesday at the Dell Diamond. Friday night the Bulldogs hammered Shiner's pitching for a 14-1 win that ended in the fifth inning by the 10-run rule. Shiner started off well in the top of the first, scoring a run and connecting for three hits. A pick off at third base and a strong throw from right field to home plate saved the inning for Thorndale. Thorndale responded with an impressive display of hitting. The Bulldogs scored 10 runs in the bottom of the first, forcing a pitching change from the Comanches in the middle of the inning. Jeff Hinistroza, Josh Culp and Austin Falke each hit two RBIs with Falke's coming by way of a triple during the Bulldogs first turn at the plate. “We needed to shut them down and show them that we came to play, that we didn't give up,” coach Kelly Kuhl said. “We got out of a jam in the top of the first, which was good. Then in the bottom of the first we just hit the baseball. That's all we worked on (in Tuesday's practice), hitting and executing both offensively and defensively. I didn't expect 10 but we'll take it.” The onslaught of runs by Thorndale knocked the wind out of Shiner's sails as they seemed to accept that a third game of the series would be necessary. Starting pitcher Culp had a strong outing, finishing with five strikeouts over five innings. He controlled the game after giving up a run in the first inning. Going into Saturday's third and deciding game, the Bulldogs knew they would face pitcher Kyle Condel. He struck out 13 batters in the Shiner win Wednesday night. With the big win Friday night, the Bulldogs needed to keep their composure and focus on the third and final game. Condel brought his best game on the mound Saturday, but he didn't get the run support he needed. Thorndale was steady at the plate for a 6-5 win, striking out just seven times as they did a better job against Condel. Tyler Pounder pitched six innings for the Bulldogs, giving up three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Cirilo Reyes took over for Pounders and worked his way out of the sixth and seventh innings to secure the win for the Bulldogs. Reyes also had a solid day at the plate, going three for three and redeeming himself from his ejection in the opening game of the series. Reyes walked the first batter in the seventh inning and a sacrifice bunt moved him to second base. A line drive to center field by Dalton Handley could have tied the game but the runner was held at third by the base coach. The Comanches hit into a double play to end the game and send the Bulldogs to the state tournament with a chance at their second state title in three years. Thorndale will play New Deal, who is 23-7-1 on the year. The winner will face either Archer City of Lovelady for the state championship Thursday at 4 p.m.
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