Bulldogs claim winner-take-all showdown with Lanier

 

Two weeks ago, after back-to-back losses to District 28-4A champion Brennan and runner-up Brackenridge, it appeared Burbank’s streak of four-consecutive playoff appearance was in jeopardy. It might be fair to say it was on the endangered list.

All it took was three-straight wins to for Burbank (8-16-1, 5-7) to garner a hard-earned fifth playoff trip in a row. The Bulldogs completed the journey with an 11-7 win over Lanier (7-15, 4-8) in a do-or-die game Thursday at SAISD Field No. 2.

The winner automatically qualified for the postseason and the outcome was in doubt heading into the seventh inning. The Voks scored three runs in the top of the sixth to give themselves on outside chance of ending their five-game losing streak and making the cut. Three of those losses were by four runs or fewer.

Both teams scored twice in the first inning. Lanier inched ahead with a run in the top of the second. Burbank seized control with a five-run explosion in the bottom of the inning.

The Voks closed within 7-4 in the top of the fourth, but the Bulldogs had an answer once again. Burbank scored two runs apiece in the fourth and fifth for a seven-run cushion.

Sophomore Jonathan Martinez hit a home run for the Bulldogs. Tristan Settles was the winning pitcher.

The win had an added bonus for Burbank. The Bulldogs tied Highlands (10-13, 5-7) for third place in the district, although the Owls will claim the district’s No. 3 seed because of two head-to-head wins over the Bulldogs.

Lanier finished its season in a fifth-place tie with Edison (4-17, 4-8). Jefferson (5-19, 3-9) was just a game behind in the highly competitive seven-team district.

  MORE TO COME