Dodd City Hornets sweep Saint Jo in regional quarterfinals By Allen Rich

Posted Date: 05/12/2023

Bonham, Texas -- The Dodd City Hornets swept the Saint Jo Panthers, 6-0 and 15-0, in the Region II-1A quarterfinals to take another step deeper into the playoffs.

In game one, Dodd City jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Saint Jo mounted a serious threat in the top of the second when the Panthers loaded the bases with only one out.

Dodd City's Ethan Barnard chalked up the second out with a clutch strikeout, one of seven Barnard had in game one. The next batter slammed a hard ground ball in the gap between first base and second base, but a diving Aydan Balvin knocked the ball down and then made the throw to first from his knees to get the third out.

The Hornets scored three runs in the third inning and added a run in the sixth stanza for a 6-0 victory.

Barnard scattered six hits in seven innings of work to pick up the win.

Nick Glover continued his torrid hitting streak with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, scored twice and drove in two runs.

Ashton Balvin went 2-for-3.

Game two was over in a hurry as Dodd City scored 13 runs in the top of the first frame and never looked back in a 15-0, five-inning victory.

Logan Lackey pitched a one-hitter, struck out eight, and aided his own cause with a 2-for-3 performance swinging the bat.

Layton Vaught went 3-for-4, drove in four runs and scored twice.

Ashton Balvin was 2-for-4.

Dodd City (17-4) advances to face the winner of Ector/Perrin-Whitt in the regional semifinals.