BURKBURNETT – Jacob Boyd isn't a prototypical No. 9 hitter.
Vernon coach Brady Whitaker believes Boyd would bat in the middle of most lineups. The senior right fielder looked the part in the biggest moment of Tuesday's game with Burkburnett.
Boyd came through with a bases-loaded single with two outs in the top of the seventh, plating the tying and winning runs in a 3-2 victory against the Bulldogs. It's a key District 6-4A win for the Lions (11-9-2, 4-2), who all but solidify themselves as the No. 2 seed. Burkburnett (16-7, 4-3) is likely headed for third, while Iowa Park (21-1, 6-0) clinches the 6-4A title with the Bulldogs' loss.
All of that because of Boyd's timely hit.
“That's by far the biggest hit of my career,” said Boyd, who finished 1 for 2 with a walk and two RBIs. “I can't describe it. It feels great being a part of that.”
It's the second time this season Vernon rallied in the seventh inning to beat Burk. And the situation was eerily similar. On March 30, Tyler Smith came up with a two-out single with the bases loaded, driving in two runs for a 6-5 victory.
“I don't know if it's exactly one thing,” Vernon coach Brady Whitaker said. “I think the first game against Burk, we found a way to win and when you come from behind once, it's a lot easier to do it the second and third times because the kids understand its still not over. They can keep battling and play until the last out is made.”
Burkburnett had just taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth after Andrew Hawkins belted a double to the fence in the left-center and came around to score two batters later on a Gavin Morris single up the middle.
Bulldog coach Scot Green called up Gentry Mullins to close out the game, taking over on the mound for starter Jacob Acheson, who gave up one unearned run on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in six innings.
Boyd had a scouting report on Mullins.
“The coaches told us he threw a lot of off-speed pitches,” Boyd said. “I just had a feeling he was going to throw a first-pitch curve. I sat back and saw it come out of his hand and executed.”
Boyd didn't get all of the breaking ball, but just enough for a soft line drive to give Acheson, who went to left field after trading places with Mullins, trouble. Acheson charged but couldn't get to the ball, letting it drop in front of him.
“I couldn't really tell if it was going to fall at the very start,” said Whitaker, who had a good view of the ball from his third-base coaching box. “(Acheson) kind of played it safe. It was a line drive right at him and that's a hard ball to read off the bat. I think he was trying not to make a mistake. We got lucky and it fell in the right spot.
“With the playing surface not being turf, I'm for sure going to send that guy from second to get that extra run.”
Chad Thomas scored easily from third and Brysan Garrard didn't slow down as he came around from second. Acheson's throw was wild, but Garrard likely would have scored anyway.
“The kid has to field it cleanly and make a perfect throw,” Whitaker said. “On this playing surface, that's not an easy play for anyone, especially a high school kid.”
Whitaker turned to his ace to finish off the win. Thomas had already thrown 96 pitches entering the seventh inning. High school pitchers are only allowed 110 before having to be removed from the game, but Whitaker had no qualms about putting Thomas back out there.
“He was locating well all night,” Whitaker said. “He's a kid whose arm never gets tired. He can throw as many pitches as he wants. At practice tomorrow, he'll act like he hasn't even thrown.”
Thomas retired the first two Burk batters – Wyatt Grant and Kyson Hoskins – out on four pitches. Mullins made sure the Bulldogs didn't go down quietly, hitting a hard line drive into center field.
Mullins moved over the third after the Lions threw away what could have been the third out on a chopper by Hawkins, placing runners on the corners with two outs. Thomas struck out Rogers to end the game.
“I'm just trying to shut the game down and get the win for my team,” said Thomas, who recorded 11 strikeouts and worked around 10 hits and five walks, while also scoring two runs “I'm not worried about my pitch count. I'm doing what I know I can do. I just want them to make contact and let my guys play defense behind me.
“We don't give up. We build momentum even when we're down.”
Many felt like Vernon's first win over the Bulldogs was an upset. Some might even call this one an upset given the way it ended. Don't count Burk coach Scot Green among those with that train of thought.
“Somebody told me that was an upset the last time we played,” Green said. “They got everybody back from last season except one player. They're a good team. I have all the respect for what they did. It's hard to put games away. I mean, we even had the chance at the end. They made the play when they needed to.”