Hawks look to tame Bulldogs in quarterfinals

MARSHALL, Texas-Pleasant Grove looks to seize early momentum as it clashes with Kilgore in the Texas High School Class 4A regional baseball quarterfinals.

The Hawks (25-4) take on Kilgore (24-5) today at 7:30 in a best-of-three series at East Texas Baptist University's Woods Field.

"We also concentrate on doing what we can do in order to win the game," Pleasant Grove head coach Riley Fincher said. "Our focus first and foremost is us. We do everything we can to prepare ourselves.

"The longer any team plays in the playoffs, then the competition will increase. We feel like the schedule we've played this year has prepared us for this moment."

Last week, the Hawks won both games of a doubleheader against Brownsboro in the area round, 7-4 and 1-0.

Woods Field is a turf field, which will not be a problem for the Hawks, who have practiced in their indoor facility and on the football field.

The Bulldogs swept Wills Point in their best-of-three series, 8-7 and 8-1, last week.

"Kilgore is the District 16-4A champion," Fincher said. "They are well coached, play extremely well and have a very talented team."

Right-hander Nick Voyles or southpaw Ryan Galvan will start on the hill for Pleasant Grove, and Keaton Russo is the catcher.

Starting on the infield for the Hawks are first baseman Tucker Anderson, second baseman Parker Twisdale, shortstop Jackson Cobb and third baseman Ben Harmon.

Andrew LeGrand plays left field, Seth Hopkins is in center, and Ben Wilson, Brock Bearden or Galvan (if he does not pitch) will be the right fielder. Marshall Cox will be the Hawks' designated hitter.

Game 2 of the series is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and a Game 3, if needed, will be 3 p.m. Saturday. All games will be played at ETBU.

The winner of the series will play either Melissa or Sunnyvale in the Class 4A regional semifinals next week.

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