Expected frigid weather affected the start time Tuesday, but not the intensity of the Barbe-Sam Houston District 3-5A baseball showdown, which the Bucs worked overtime to win 4-3 in 11 innings.

Kennon Fontenot stroked an opposite-field single to right field to give the Bucs a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th. Braden Comeaux stole home on the back end of a double steal to stretch the lead to 4-2.

The Broncos pulled a run back in the bottom of the inning when Peyton McLemore singled to right-center to score Kameron Esthay. The Broncos had a chance to score more with the bases loaded and one out, but Barbe reliever Gunner Leger forced a pop-up and fielder’s choice ground ball to end the game.

“The kids overcome adversity. Gunner did a great job getting out of that,” said Barbe head coach Glenn Cecchini. “We did what we had to do to win. Sloan (Dieter) pitched great, Gunner did a great job in relief.

“I thought (Sam Houston) played a great game. Their pitcher (Collin) Kober pitched great; they are a really good team, and when two good teams get together it is going to be a great game.”

Dieter, the Bucs’ starter, struck out 12 and held the Broncos scoreless for six innings after giving up a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. The Bucs scored twice in the top of the third to tie the score but could not put the Broncos away.

“We learned a lot from this game. We left four runners on third with less than two outs, that is very unlike us,” Cecchini said. “You have to give them credit, they made some good pitches, but you have to bring in guys from third with less than two out.”

The Broncos ran into the same problem in the last inning.

“Bases loaded, one out at-bat, it was an infield fly rule,” said Sam Houston head coach Brad Book. “We got to have better than that, at least a ground ball or something along the lines of that. It is frustrating.

“We have played poorly lately. Not that we played outstanding tonight, we just played a lot more emotionally, a lot harder tonight. We still had five errors and 14 strikeouts. That’s not good and won’t win many ballgames.

“But I have to say I was pleased with our intent today. It was to win. We did not pout, did not hang their lip or feel inferior because we are not playing well right now, we went and competed. I am proud of that. We haven’t done that lately.”

(mgnonline.com)