Hornets win in eight, return to State

Posted Date: 05/30/2019

ROCKWALL -- Brayden Vaught scored from third base on Zayne Kennon's two-out single in the eighth, garnering Dodd City a 6-5 walk-off win on May 28 in the Region II-1A final -- and its first trip to State baseball since 2012. 

The Hornets (19-5) will play Wednesday, June 5, in the 1A state semifinals on the Dell Diamond at Round Rock at either 9 a.m. or noon against an opponent to be named. The 1A championship will be the next day at the same site at 9 a.m.

“These guys impress me more and more each game," said first-year Dodd City baseball manager Clint Lindsey. "When adversity was staring them down and they could have given up, they battled and gave it everything they had. There is no quitting for this team. 

"They are a great bunch of guys," said Lindsey, 
"and everyone did their part to come out on top tonight. 

"I am proud of them.“ 

Reliever Landon Allen garnered the win, allowing no hits and striking out three, as he pitched the scoreless final 1 1/3 innings.

Vaught finished with three hits, two RBI and two runs and Gunnar Wilson and Kennon totaled two hits apiece for Dodd City, which scored its six runs during the final five innings of the contest. 

Alec Simpson doubled and drove in one, while Kason Carson and Allen, who had an RBI, also each added a hit for the Hornets, who equaled Abbott's 10 hits. Caleb Brian walked twice, Jason Turner did so once and each also scored a run. Aaron Munger also walked and joined Kennon with a run. 

Starter Dillon Jones struck out five during his 6 2/3 innings for Dodd City, a 2012 state semifinalist. 

Rich Hilliard .  Fannin County Leader