Published: May 15, 2008 08:28 pm            

BC, Jasper done talking - time to play

BRIDGE CITY — The time to talk is over for the Bridge City Cardinals and Jasper Bulldogs.

The day has come and just hours after this story its the paper, the two teams will be on the field in Nederland for the Class 3A Region III regional quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m.

Casey Jackson can’t stop talking about tonight’s game, Jaden Dillon has found being in a classroom all day a very tough task and Matt Hicks can’t describe how the Cardinals have been able to play their best when it matters most.

Rest assured, all three could be big parts to the puzzle for the Cardinals to move on and face either Carthage or Hutto next week.

“It’s thrilling,” Jackson said. “Every time I talk to Jaden in class, our hearts start racing. Of course we knew we would see Jasper in district but we wanted to face them again in the playoffs. We want to give them a taste of their own medicine.”

It is well known the Bulldogs knocked the Cardinals out in three games last year in the regional finals on their way to a state championship. This season the Cardinals were 2-0 against the Bulldogs on their way to a District 21-3A championship.

“We have a lot of respect for the Bulldogs,” Hicks, who was the winning pitchers in both games, said. “Everyone on that team can hit and play defense plus their pitching is top of the line. They went on to dominate the state tournament last season so you have to respect that team. I always say a hit here or a hit there could have changed both games this season.”

The Cardinals are no stranger from playing in Nederland as Bridge City often plays in the Nederland Bulldog Baseball Tournament each season.

Dillon has certainly had success in Nederland, especially earlier this year.

Dillon no-hit the Sulphur, La. Tors while striking out nine batters in a 6-0 Bridge City victory.

“We are always confident in Nederland and always seem to do real well on that field,” Hicks said. “We are going to try to think like this is just another game. We cannot get too excited if we make an error and we can’t let up if we get a lead.”

Jackson believes the Cardinals are in a great position to move on to next week’s regional semi-finals.

“This is our year and we want to give them a taste of their own medicine,” Jackson said. “It is going to be great game from both teams. it will be a well-fought game. We are rivals even though we have really only been playing a lot over the last two seasons. Both teams know when we play each other — you better bring your A game.”

Dillon is far from worried about having to win just one game instead of getting three chances to eliminate Jasper.

“It really is just about who plays the best that day,” Dillon said. “It is kind of like Game 2 against Needville since we were down 0-1 but with a little more pressure. We wanted to meet this team in the playoffs and now we want our revenge.”

Hicks wants the same revenge even after beating the Bulldogs on the mound twice this year.

“Everyone on this team is very excited,” Hicks said. “After last year and it just being one game this season, everyone better be ready. We want to prove we can beat them in the playoffs and this time we only have to do it once. It might make it a lot easier because they really are a great team. I really can’t explain what it is about big games that brings out the best in a player. You just become more focused and everything seems to fall into place.”

        

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