Published: May 05, 2008 08:34 pm            

Clark, Dillon come up huge for Cardinals

BRIDGE CITY — The names of stars are easy to roll of the tongue concerning the Bridge City Cardinals baseball team.

Names of the past, present and future are lined with stars and players either gone through the college ranks or still making names for themselves.

Seniors Jaden Dillon and Jason Clark may not be spotlighted as superstars but ask anyone and they know how important these two have been for Bridge City (24-5) over the last several seasons.

The two are quiet on the field expect where it matters the most — results.

Dillon is 6-1 on the mound with a save and a 3.07 ERA while Clark is 5-0 with a 2.90 ERA. The two have combined to strike out 121 batters.

Clark is batting .339 on the season with 24 RBI, 20 hits, 11 walks and four stolen bases.

Dillon is batting .301 with 17 RBI, 20 walks and four stolen bases.

“When the spotlight is not always on you, you don’t have all that weight on your shoulders,” Clark said. “We are just able to go out and play. There is not always a lot of pressure on the two of us. When we do get our chance and shine, you still get acknowledged for your hard work.”

Clark’s stock was on the rise after last season’s Game 3 against Needville, this weekend’s area round opponent, when the then junior came in and shut the Blue Jays down.

Clark hurled 5 1/3 innings and gave up just four hits and two runs to the Blue Jays to win the regional quarterfinals series.

“I have been thinking about that game and series here lately,” Clark said. “They had trouble hitting my slider and I was able to keep them off balance. You have to watch what you pitch and where you pitch to them. I just hope the same thing happens this year.”

Dillon knows Needville will be ready to go this weekend as the series starts up at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Humble. Game 2 is at 7:30 p.m. Friday while Game 3, if necessary, is at 2 p.m. Saturday all in Humble.

“It was a pretty good match-up last year,” Dillon said. “I am pretty sure they want a little revenge from last season. It will be an exciting series and we can’t rely on what happened last year. We will see who plays the best.”

Dillon and the Cardinals have been good about getting revenge of their own so far this year with two victories against Jasper who knocked Bridge City out in the regional finals a year ago.

“The two wins against Jasper was the highlight of the season so far, especially coming back to win the second one,” Dillon added. “All the excitement is because what happened last year in the regional finals.

“Winning the district championship meant a lot to us. We knew going into the season we had to get it back and we got it.”

Clark also acknowledged the fact the Cardinals are not just satisfied with making the playoffs and winning the district title.

“You always want to do better than you did the year before,” Clark said. “The three seniors on this team hope to make the state tournament. We have the talent to do it and set that as a goal. We work well as a team and nobody has enemies. It helps when everyone is working on that same goal.”

Catcher Casey Jackson is the third senior for the Cardinals.

Dillon quietly responded he also knows the Cardinals have a one-track mind these days.

“We are taking it one series at a time,” Dillon said. “We are starting to come together real well as a team. You can’t let the pressure get to you and we are only worried about our next opponent. It’s just another game to me and I am going to do what I can to help this team win.”

The Cardinals/Blue Jays winner will face the Jasper/Bellville winner next week in the regional quarterfinals.

        

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