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Disciplined Ducks sweep Hudson By EMILY GROBE A patient Taylor took its time at the plate Saturday afternoon, putting 18 runners on base, which translated into a 10-0 victory over Lufkin Hudson at Krueger Field. In a repeat of Thursday’s series opener, a 12-1 blowout, the Taylor Ducks run-ruled Lufkin Hudson to sweep the area round of the Class 3A state baseball playoffs. The win gave Taylor its second playoff sweep and fourth consecutive run-rule win. “They just outplayed us,” Lufkin Hudson coach Glen Kimble said. “We didn’t play very well in either game.” In a tale of two pitchers, Hudson’s Jeremy Pounds was erratic, allowing nine Duck base runners to reach base n including three walks and one hit by a pitch n for six runs in the first inning, while Taylor’s Sam Jirasek threw strikes, allowing only two hits in five innings. “Sam has a great curve ball,” Taylor coach Doug Kuhl said. “He hasn’t pitched in a long time, but I pitched him going on the odds that they hit well on left handed pitchers.” Jirasek pitched a two-hitter, struck out four Hudson batters and allowed no runs in five innings. Hornets relief pitcher Daniel Musick gave up five hits, hit three batters and walked one. The Ducks, who Kimble said he was unfamiliar with before the series, made some hitting changes during practice that have turned into more on-base situations and more base runners. “We changed some things in our hitting to be productive every at bat and move runners. Before we might have swung at that ball,” Kuhl said, signaling a high pitch n one that many Duck batters have been fond of this season. “But now the kids are taking and hitting their pitches.” Like in Thursday’s game, Taylor jumped ahead early, taking a 6-0 lead on a RBI single by Jirasek and five earned runs in the first inning. In the second, Taylor took a 9-0 lead when Tyler Volek surprised everyone and charged head first for home plate as the pitch was leaving Musick’s hand. The pitch was high and wide and the Hornets were unable to make a play on the steal. With two on and two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Jake Farr ended the game and series by bringing Heath O’Banon home on a single to right for the 10-0 win. “It’s coming down to if you don’t win, you’re out,” Kuhl said. “We’ve got to keep making every at-bat count.” Hudson’s Chris King was 1-2 with a single, while Jake Wood was 1-2 with a double. Jirasek was 2-3 with two singles and a RBI. Volek was 1-3 with one run scored, one stolen base and two RBIs. Taylor will face Liberty Hill, which defeated Diboll in the area round in two games, in the regional quarterfinals. Times and locations will be determined Monday.
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