Cooper is headed back to state with a 6-5 win over Iowa Park
By Krista Pirtle, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Texas | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
At the beginning of the season, Cooper was just 5-14 and when coach
"Last year when we went it was a blast," Chase said. "It's something every high school baseball player dreams of. Some of these kids haven't ever gotten to experience that and I wanted that for them too."
For Cooper (20-18), state is always an expectation, but after the Pirates' rough start to the season, Baxter wasn't sure how realistic that goal was.
"When we opened up the season we just struggled so hard," Baxter said. "We were just hoping to get into district and try to get going a little bit. Once they got into playoffs they just started believing each and every week and it started snowballing for them. The confidence started growing."
The Pirates, after suffering an 11-0 run-rule defeat by
Once the final batter for
Once the Regional Championship trophy was held proudly in the air, the Pirates yelled, "We're not done!"
And they aren't.
"I'm just speechless," Chase said. "Our guys battled so hard every step of the way. We weren't ready to go home. That's basically it."
Baxter said the weekend summed up his team's entire season in a nutshell.
"They fought so hard," he said. "A lot of teams after getting beat 11-0 Wednesday wouldn't come back like they did. ... We came way down at the early part of the season. For them to fight their way back like this, I just can't say enough about how proud I am of them and how excited I am for them. They've worked their rear ends off."
Chase's brother, Brock, came in and pitched 30 pitches to earn his fifth save of the season in the second game and went the distance in the third game to seal the victory for Cooper.
"I wasn't coming out," the junior right-hander said after throwing 131 pitches. "I had a lot of water. Coach relied on me. My teammates were relying on me. I feel great."
Brock gave up five runs off seven hits while striking out five in the third game which featured four lead changes.
The Pirates took the lead for good as a single by
Cooper added insurance in the fifth inning due to a triple by
Overall, Cooper recorded seven hits against the
The Pirates had 13 hits in the second game against
While the third game was drama-filled from the first pitch, a rally by
GAME 3
COOPER 6, IOWA PARK 5
Cooper 001 320 X -- 6 7 2
Biddy and Whitaker.
GAME 2
COOPER 6, IOWA PARK 5
Cooper 023 001 0 -- 6 13 1
Doucette, Freeman (6) and Keane. Nieto and Whitaker. W -- Doucette. L -- Nieto. 2B--IP, Kimbro. 3B--IP, Whitaker.
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