By Caleb Adams

Leader Correspondent

 

ORANGEFIELD — The Bridge City Cardinals spoiled the Orangefield Bobcats Senior Night in a tight 1-0 win in Orangefield in a big District 22-4A tilt Friday night.

The Cardinals can clinch the outright 22-4A title with a win at home over the Bobcats Tuesday. LC-M (25-5, 7-2) remains just a game back as the Bears defeated Hamshire-Fannett 7-5 Friday.

Sophomore Peyton Havard was the star for the first-place Cardinals (19-7-1, 8-1) with an amazing outing and game controlling arm.

Thie game was a pitcher’s duel from the get-go between Havard and Bobcat Blake Bradley, the first hit came in the bottom of third on a Johnny Armstrong single for the Bobcats (17-5-1, 6-3), but he was left stranded as Havard cleaned up the inning quickly.

Bridge City’s first hit came from Logan Hamm in the sixth inning. Both Havard and Bradley were throwing gems to start the game.

Havard had a solid game going all seven innings, allowing one hit while striking out 11 and walking two on 105 pitches. Havard’s curveball was the enemy for the Bobcats, pulling the string after showing a strong fastball.

Orangefield’s Bradley went all seven innings as well as the Cardinals were only able to muster two hits. Bradley struck out four and walked three as he finished with 103 pitches.

For most of the game, both offenses struggled to figure out the opposing pitcher. Whoever got a run on the board first would most likely find the win in this game.

Caleb Dubois grabbed the elusive run with the game’s only RBI. The Cardinals took the first lead of the ball game on a Dubois single to the right to drive in Hamm, who singled himself to get on. An error on a pick off throw would allow Hamm to reach third on the play prior. That’s all they would get, but the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning.

The Bobcats couldn’t find a run in seven innings and the Cardinals are able to only find one, but that was all they needed.

The Cardinals take another step in cementing their stellar season so far, impressing with their great pitching, which could take them a long way into the playoffs and the same for the Bobcats, who have already punched in their playoff ticket as well.

The two rivals will hook up again Tuesday when Bridge City welcomes the Bobcats to Cardinal Field.