HS Baseball Playoffs: Willis Sweeps Bi-District Round Despite Multiple Reschedules

WILLIS, TX -- The Willis Wildkats will continue their playoff journey following a series sweep in the Bi-District round against the Dekaney Wildcats, even with multiple delays and reschedules due to the weather.

Willis won the series' opening game in a solid 11-6 showing. With the chance to sweep and come away from the series in as few games as possible, the team needed to rely on its strengths.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Willis Head Coach Brett Washburn noted some things his team has done well in exploiting against Dekaney.

“We’ve been able to get some bunts down. We’re able to get on base that way, create some havoc on the base paths,” said Washburn. “That’s allowed us to open up some offense a little bit more and see some better pitches.”

A scoreless first inning in game two was just a bump in the road compared to the consistent offense the Wildkats would post as the game went on.

The second inning saw lead-off batting from Kelley Abke rely on discipline to walk to first base before a steal to second put him in scoring position. Outs from the latter half of the batting lineup nearly sank the opportunity, but an RBI single from Dylan Hawthorne brought Abke in for the game’s opening run.

Willis’s efforts continued for the next three innings, with the team earning at least one run in three straight innings.

Lengthy at-bats and successful bunts from the top of the lineup saw Keaton Jeffcoat score a solo run in the bottom of the third before a lengthy stretch of scoring, headlined by a two-run RBI from Gage Blinka, got four runs across for the Wildkats in the fourth.

Dekaney had earned two runs in the top of the fourth, including a solo home run. But the four-run surge in the bottom of the inning put the notions of a potential comeback to rest right at the midpoint of the contest.

“Credit to Dekaney, they put one over the fence, and it kind of took some momentum away,” said Washburn. “But we were able to scratch four runs as a response, which allowed us to breathe again.”

One final run in the bottom of the fifth pushed the lead to 7-2 heading into the sixth, but incoming thunderstorms forced the conclusion of the game to be delayed from Thursday night to a hopeful Friday afternoon.

When Friday saw even more thunderstorms and heavy rains, the decision was made to end the game on Saturday morning.

The lengthy pause between play did not plague Willis, as they successfully defended their cushion of a lead while only giving up a single run under a beautiful Saturday morning sun.

Willis’s 7-3 win in the face of multiple reschedules and delays shows some of the prowess on display for a hopeful Wildkat team as they claim another Bi-District title.

Awaiting Willis in the Area Round is a familiar foe to the remaining players and families from last season’s team. Facing the Wildkats in round two will be the reigning State Champion Tomball Cougars, who eliminated Willis last season in a grindy, two-game series.

With many fresh faces and several key departures on both sides, the series is looking to be a repeat of intense passions.

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