After beating Holden 8-3 in the Class B quarterfinals on Friday, Weston High School will be making its 4th straight trip to the Class B state baseball tournament, annually held at McMurry Park in Sulfur, LA.

While the Wolves are pleased to be going again. This time, the hope is to go at least one game better as WHS has reached the Class B semi-finals the last three years running, only to fall short of reaching the finals.

To reach the finals, the #4 seed Wolves, who have carved out an impressive 23-12 record against one of the strongest schedules of any “small school” in the state, having played 16 schools from a higher classification, have the monumental task ahead of knocking off #1 seed Pitkin (18-5), who is also making a 4th straigth state tournament appearance but is the defending Class B state champion and has won the state title in two of the last three years. Adding to the difficulty ahead is that Pitkin already owns two victories over the Wolves this year, having won 7-1 and 3-2 in back-to-back games played on March 20 and 21. 

The contest is scheduled for 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 12th, on field 37 at McMurry Park, with the winner advancing to the finals against the winner of #2 Glenmora and #3 Grace Christian, to be played on field #40 at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 13th.

Listen Live! For those not able to attend, the game can be heard by going to https://bit.ly/KJAE935Sports

The age-old debate of which is better to have, a high-scoring offense or a stingy defense, will be answered when the two teams meet, with Weston hoping the “third time is the charm.” 

High Scoring Offense: The Wolves enter having scored 271 runs in their 35 contests for an average of 7.74 runs per game. Weston has scored 10 runs or more 13 times this season, which includes a run of four in a row and six games out of eight to close out the regular season. In 13 contests against Class B competition, including their 4-3 victory over Anacoco in the regionals and the 8-3 quarterfinal victory, other than the two games against Pitkin, Weston has scored 148 runs, for an average of 11.38 runs per contest.

Stingy Defense: Pitkin counters by having allowed only 52 runs in their 23 games, an average of 2.26 runs per game, which includes their 1-0 in 9 innings over #8 Hicks in the quarterfinals. Only five times has Pitkin allowed 4 or more runs to be scored against them this year, four of those coming against Division III or better teams, and no one in Class B had scored more than 2 runs in a game before the 4-3 victory over Choudrant in the regional round. 

Class B Quarterfinal Recap

Weston 8 Holden 3: After spotting the visiting #8 seed a 3-0 lead after two and a half innings of play, Weston’s offensive attack heated up, leading to 3 runs in the bottom of the third, two more in the fourth, and three in their final at bat to win the quarterfinal matchup going away. 

Walk this way! The Wolves tied the game in the third when Dawson Griffin, the odds-on favorite for “newcomer of the year,” got things going by opening the frame with a walk. Two outs later, Drew Browing coaxed another walk, and Colton Blundell reached on an error that led to Weston’s first run. Easton Borders then got hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting up a clutch single by Liam Weaver and Kolt Keiffer, drawing the third free pass of the inning that plated the tying run.

Making them pay! Weston took a 5-3 lead one inning later when Griffin once again got things started with a walk, followed by head coach Joey Kemp calling for a bunt, which Ty Henderson perfectly executed to advance the runner. Jase Borders followed with a line shot to left field, leading to the Holden braintrust gambling by intentionally walking Browning that loaded the bases in the hopes of setting up a force out at any base. Colton Blundell then made Holden pay for their decision by stroking a single to right field that scored two runs.  

Blasting them away! After Holden got two quick outs to open the bottom of the sixth inning, Browning smashed a blast over the centerfield fence of the Jackson Parish Recreation Sports Complex field for his team’s leading 6th home run of the year. Blundell followed with his second base hit of the game, bringing up Easton Borders, who, like Browning, left the Holden centerfielder looking skyward as the ball sailed out of the park for the final two runs. 

“Ty”ing them down! Ty Henderson played a huge role in the victory as well. Summoned to the mound with two outs in the top of the third inning for his 7th relief appearance of the year and second in Weston’s two playoff games, the senior shut down the Holden offense the rest of the way by allowing only two hits and no runs to earn the victory. 

Video highlights! To view the highlights of Weston’s state tourney clinching victory, click here. 

Statement by WHS head coach Joey Kemp

“I would like to sincerely thank the families of our players, the community, and everyone who attended the quarterfinal game for the incredible support, energy, and encouragement you gave our team. The atmosphere was truly special, and our players felt every bit of it. These young men work extremely hard year-round, whether it is in the weight room during the offseason and all the in-season lifts, at practice throughout the season, or putting in extra work on their own when no one is watching. They continue to push themselves every day and take pride in doing things the right way both on and off the field. Their commitment, discipline, and dedication to each other are what make this team special. As coaches, we could not be prouder of the effort and heart they show every single day. I’d also like to thank former players for their continued support of this team and for setting the standard to follow. It all matters. On behalf of our entire baseball program, thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in and supporting these players. We hope to see everyone in Sulphur!”

Class B Quarterfinal Boxscore