ROUND ROCK, Texas-Linden-Kildare had an improbable playoff run and is making its fourth state baseball tournament appearance in school history.
The last time the Tigers qualified for the final four was 1985, going back for consecutive years, and L-K won the 1980 championship.
Linden-Kildare (20-9) and Valley Mills (28-6) clash in the 4 p.m. semifinal of the Class 2A state tournament at Dell Diamond. The 7 p.m. game has defending state champion Dallardsville Big Sandy (34-4) and Albany (23-7) playing, and the semifinal winners compete for the title at noon on Thursday.
"We talked to the guys about enjoying the moment and being in the moment at the same time," Tigers coach John Roberts said. "I don't want us to go down there and forget where we are. I want the guys to realize where they are at, what they have accomplished and take in the moment. When the game starts, they have to be in
that moment."
Linden-Kildare, which has gone three games in each of its last three playoff series, including last week's regional championship against James Bowie, started the season at 1-4. The Tigers responded and went 11-2 the rest of the regular season and district play.
"I knew we were a good team," Roberts said. "I knew that we were a playoff team. Did I think that we would be playing in Austin? Not really. I was hoping for the opportunity. I knew we were good and a playoff team, but I did not know anything beyond that."
In the regional quarterfinals and semifinals, L-K battled back from a series-opening loss to keep its playoff drive alive. Against the Pirates, the Tigers scored in the bottom of the 7th of the opener to tie and the bottom of the 12th to win, surrendered the lead in Game 2 in the bottom of the seventh, and then thwarted another late rally for a 9-4 win in Game 3.
"The series against James Bowie showed what we went through this year," Roberts said. "The first game was a 12-inning battle, and we had to find ways to win. It looked like Game 2 was about to be over in our favor. There was chaos at the end, and everything kinda fell apart. We had to play a Game 3 right after, and the kids were able to refocus and do what was necessary to win that game.
"Every time that we needed to respond after a loss, we were able to come back and do that. We were in a spot that we had already been in this season when we won Game 3. The kids drew back on their experience and won a must-win game."
Trent Wert (6-5), Jacob Owen (7-2), Mason Johnson (5-1) and Caleb Cunningham (2-0) each pitched in the regional final series and will be available against Valley Mills, which has gone 7-1 in the postseason.
"Valley Mills scores a lot of runs and are a senior and junior dominated team," Roberts said. "They look to be solid offensively and have put up a lot of runs this season."
Deuce Schuler will catch for Linden-Kildare, Nic Kunze starts at first, and Chase Bynum could play second depending on the pitcher. Dalton Alford starts at shortstop, and Owen or Johnson will be at third. The outfield could have Cunningham or Johnson left, Wert or Johnson in center, and Colt Neville in right field. Hunter Crenshaw is the designated hitter for the Tigers.