Published: April 29, 2008 07:40 pm            

Jones geared up for Bears’ playoff push

LITTLE CYPRESS — Ben Jones was around last year as a junior to be a part of the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Battlin’ Bears march to a District 22-4A championship.

As a senior this season, Jones has been around to be a part of the Bears fighting for their playoff lives late in the district season only to finish third behind Port Neches-Groves and Vidor.

Through rules guided by the UIL, the Bears were awarded third place even before last Friday’s games against Vidor and are now headed to the bi-district round against the Huffman Falcons.

“We were stressed up until we found out we had clinched,” Jones said. “When we heard the news, it was stress off our back. Vidor was still a game we should have won but it was still great for all our players to get into the playoffs.”

The Bears and Falcons will meet at 7 p.m. in the Class 4A Region III bi-district round starting Friday at Spring ISD’s Dekaney High School. Game 2 and Game 3, if necessary, will be at Don Gibbens Field Saturday starting at 2 p.m.

For about a two week period the Bears were on a three-game slide with double-digit losses to PN-G and Dayton while also losing to Beaumont Ozen.

“The PN-G game definitely rattled us,” Jones said. “We lost 5-1 over there first and we went into the ball game thinking we had a shot of winning. They blew us away.

“The losses definitely put us in a tough position. I think everyone on the team at that point just assumed we would get into the playoffs. It was as if we were going to show up and other teams would hand the games over to us. We found out the hard way that was not going to happen.”

Jones said the Bears are now back on track after a pivotal win against Nederland.

“We are very focused on this year’s playoffs,” Jones added. “This year we have to roll into the playoffs with our heads up and stay focused. Last year we lost Game 1 (against Bay City) and never came around. This year us seniors have to make sure everyone is ready to win.”

Being a senior has definitely been one of the shining moments of Jones’ year with the team.

“It’s really been great,” he said. “A lot of the younger players look up to you and watch how you act, practice and carry yourself. I’ve tried to have the best time that I could because I know I will not be around next season.

“Last season I looked up to guys like Jake (Rowell) and (Kris) Hearn and now it is my turn. There has been a lot of us who have stepped up in different spots.”

Jones has stepped at both on the mound at at the plate for the Bears in 2008.

On the year, Jones is batting .351 with five homers and 21 RBI with three doubles, two triples and 25 runs.

While pitching Jones carries a 2.80 ERA with a 6-2 record. He has struck out 42 batters and allowed just 13 hits in 25 innings of work.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.