News 2011
Subscribe to our Newsletter2011 REGION 1 5A REGIONAL FINALIST
2011 6-5A District Champions
RECORD: District 14-2 Season 33-11
THANK YOU BLUE RAIDERS FOR A SEASON OF MEMORIES
Congratulations
2011 L.D. Bell 6-5A All District Selections
Coach of the Year
Paul Gibson
District MVP
Hunter Lockwood, Sr. - Catcher
FIRST TEAM
Brad Adams, Sr. - Pitcher
A.J. Daley, Sr. - Pitcher
Hunter Lockwood, Sr. - Catcher
Cullen Gassaway, Jr. - First Base
Taylor Empkey, Jr. - Outfielder
SECOND TEAM
Blake Scannell, Sr. - Second Base
Matt Simmons, Sr. - Outfielder
HONORABLE MENTION
Randy Cook, Sr. - Outfielder
Colten Daniels, Sr. - Shortstop
Trevor Podsednik, Jr. - Shortstop
Weston Sims, Jr. - Pitcher
Also, Congratulations to Hunter Lockwood for
his second team All-State selection and being
named the 2011 Star-Telegram Super
Team Player of the Year.
named the 2011 Star-Telegram Super
Team Player of the Year.
Final Top 100 High School Baseball Programs
State champs abound of the final list.
61. Bell (Hurst, Texas), 33-11
Season - Lost to Coronado in Region 1 final.
Losses - Hunter Lockwood (C, All-District MVP), Brad Adams (P, All-District),
AJ Daley (P, All-District).
Drafted - Hunter Lockwood, Round 17 by the Los Angeles Angels.
Returns - Cullen Gassaway (1B, All-District), Taylor Empkey (OF, All-District).
Season - Lost to Coronado in Region 1 final.
Losses - Hunter Lockwood (C, All-District MVP), Brad Adams (P, All-District),
AJ Daley (P, All-District).
Drafted - Hunter Lockwood, Round 17 by the Los Angeles Angels.
Returns - Cullen Gassaway (1B, All-District), Taylor Empkey (OF, All-District).
"Turn out the lights the party's over"
Posted Saturday, Jun. 11, 2011
Star-Telegram Baseball Super Teams
L.D. Bell's catcher Hunter Lockwood is the Star-Telegram's player of the year, photographed at L.D. Bell High School in Bedford, TX on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. (Star-Telegram/Khampha Bouaphanh) Star-Telegram/Khampha Bouaphanh
"I might be small in stature, but I've got a big attitude and swing a big stick," Lockwood said.
He certainly does. Lockwood finished the regular season with an area-best 16 home runs. In addition to his homers, he had a .481 average (50-of-104), 11 doubles, a triple and 46 RBIs in leading the Blue Raiders to the District 6-5A title.
Defensively, Lockwood had a .977 fielding percentage, and helped guide the pitching staff to a 3.02 ERA.
Lockwood is the Star-Telegram Super Team Player of the Year.
"There's no way I could have thought I'd hit 16 home runs, so it turned out to be a pretty good season," Lockwood said. "And being able to end our season with a district title and making our school's deepest playoff run is something we always dreamed about. It's nice to leave as the best team at Bell."
Lockwood leaves as one of the best players at Bell, too.
Coach Paul Gibson doesn't remember coaching a player with as much power potential as Lockwood. The only player he can compare him to is Ryan Roberts, the former Bell infielder now with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But Gibson still gives the power edge to Lockwood over Roberts.
"He's got more than anybody I've ever coached," Gibson said. "He's got a strong lower half, and just tremendous, tremendous bat speed. He's a special player and they only come around every so often."
Or, as teammate Brad Adams said, Lockwood is a "machine" at the plate.
"Anything he hits goes a long ways, or the guy who gets in front of the ball is going to get hurt," Adams said.
Now, Lockwood faces a decision whether to play college baseball at Oklahoma or sign a professional contract with the Los Angeles Angels, who drafted him in the 17th round.
"It all depends," Lockwood said. "It's going to come down to if the pro contract is worth more than going to OU."
Regardless of his next step, Lockwood has certainly left his mark at Bell. He played on varsity for four years, and starred on the best team in school history.
He hit an inside-the-park home run in a district-clinching 2-1 victory over Colleyville Heritage on April 22. In fact, Lockwood went deep in the Blue Raiders' final three games of the regular season en route to securing the district title.
"I enjoyed my teammates, and I enjoyed coach Gibson and all the coaches," Lockwood said. "They helped me mature, not only as a baseball player but also as a person."
MAKE IT HAPPEN CELEBRATION
Baseball Banquet
Monday June 20th - 6:30pm at First Euless/Campus West
Posted Sunday, Jun. 05, 2011
Area high school prospects hope to take swim in deep MLB draft
By Drew Davison
Although there aren't any local high school players -- excluding Dallas Jesuit's Josh Bell -- who are expected to go high, today's 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft is deep in pitchers and position players at the high school and college levels.
Some years, a player such as Owassa (Okla.) High School right-hander Dylan Bundy would be considered the No. 1 overall pick. But given the 2011 depth, Bundy should drop a few slots.
"Going into this year, we thought it was a real, real strong draft," Texas Rangers scouting director Kip Fagg said.
Southlake Carroll's John Curtiss is a legitimate prospect, but he has a solid commitment to Texas.
Hurst L.D. Bell catcher Hunter Lockwood has impressed scouts with his power, but some question whether he will be able to play catcher long-term. Arlington's Skyler Ewing has shown power potential, but what position he ultimately fits is up in the air.
Here's a look at five area high school players who could hear their names called this year:
John Curtiss, RHP, Southlake Carroll: The 6-foot-4 ace consistently throws 90-91 mph, with a nice slider and changeup. He went 7-0 with a 0.91 ERA and 73 strikeouts over 532/3 innings in 2011.
Hunter Lockwood, C, Hurst L.D. Bell: Scouts love his bat speed and power potential. The Oklahoma signee had 17 home runs in the regular season, along with 54 RBIs in 131 at-bats.
Skyler Ewing, C/INF, Arlington : He finished his high school career with consecutive double-digit homer seasons, belting 12 as a junior and 10 as a senior. The Rice signee hit .443 with 33 RBIs and a .987 slugging percentage this year.
Dalton DeLeon, C, Burleson: Could be a late-round pick after hitting .404 with three home runs, 18 doubles and 34 RBIs. Signed with Howard College.
Jake Wakamatsu, OF, Keller: Another late-round possibility, and it doesn't hurt that his dad is the bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays. Hit .366 with five home runs, 14 doubles and 32 RBIs. Arizona State signee.
Others: Texas Wesleyan RHPs Drew Cavender and Derek Vaughn.
Follow Drew Davison on Twitter @drewdavison.
Class of 2011
Thanks for an UNFORGETTABLE season!
Keep your DREAMS alive and reach for the STARS
WE WILL MISS YOU!
Posted Saturday, Jun. 04, 2011
Coronado blanks L.D. Bell in state tournament bid
ABILENE -- Lubbock Coronado didn't waste any of its offensive momentum Saturday against Hurst L.D. Bell.
The Mustangs (34-15) scored early to continue their powerful display Saturday in a 14-0 win at Hardin-Simmons University, earning a berth in the UIL Class 5A state semifinals.
Bell was up 7-5 with two outs in the top of the seventh Friday before Coronado scored 11 runs in its final four outs to win 16-11.
Bell (33-11), which won Game 1 of the 5A Region I finals 14-3 Thursday, had scouted Coronado and knew the Mustangs' offensive potential.
"That's what we were afraid of," Bell coach Paul Gibson said. "These guys can flat out hit. They got on a roll and we couldn't slow them down."
Paxton DeLaGarza, who hit a three-run homer to put Coronado up 11-8 late in Game 2, started Saturday with a two-run blast to center field to give the Mustangs a lead in the first.
Bell had a chance to answer and set up another back-and-forth battle. The Blue Raiders loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, but a sharp groundout to third ended their only threat of the game.
"Not getting anything there hurt us," Gibson said. "We knew we would have to hit to keep up with them and we couldn't do that."
Coronado pitcher Tyler O'Neill, who gave up two infield singles in the first, settled down and gave up one more hit the rest of the game. He struck out five in five innings and walked only one batter.
"He threw a great game," Coronado coach Gary Hix said. "He did exactly what he had to do."
Coronado opened a 6-0 lead in the second, with Christian Simmons doubling in a run and Blake Bass walking with the bases loaded. A Bell double play ended the inning.
The Mustangs added five more runs in the third, aided by Brayden Blackwell's double off the right-field wall. Coronado didn't score in the fourth, but pushed across three more runs in the top of the fifth before O'Neill ended the game on the 10-run rule with a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth.
After Bell was so close to the state tournament, Coronado exploded for 25 runs in 61/3 innings.
"It's hard to explain how that happened," Hix said. "We went up to the plate with the idea that we would have quality at-bats. They fought hard. That's something they have done all year long."
Brent Shirley, 817-390-7760
Coronado outslugs Bell, 16-11, to even series
Published 04 June 2011 12:04 AM
In Abilene, Paxton DeLaGarza ripped a three-run homer to highlight an eight-run seventh inning
Published 04 June 2011 12:04 AM
as Coronado evened the best-of-3 Class 5A Region I finals.
Posted Thursday, Jun. 02, 2011
L.D. Bell gets rolling late to beat Lubbock Coronado in Game 1
Posted Tuesday, May. 31, 2011
Led by defense, Blue Raiders eye first state berth
Special to the Star-Telegram/Greg Kendall-Ball
The defense of shortstop Colton Daniels and Hurst L.D. Bell has helped lead the Blue Raiders on their deepest playoff run and put them one step from the state tournament.
With pitchers who pitch to contact, Hurst L.D. Bell relies on its defense as the Blue Raiders continue their deepest playoff run in school history.
Bell (32-9) committed only one error in its two-game sweep of Midland en route to the Class 5A Region I finals against Lubbock Coronado (32-14). For the playoffs, they have four errors in nine games.
"They've stepped it up to a whole new level in the playoffs," senior right-hander Brad Adams said. "They've just been lights out."
This was evident in the 5-4 victory over Midland in Game 2. The lone error of the series for Bell came on the first play of that game, allowing the leadoff man to reach.
But the Blue Raiders got out of the jam with defense. Adams got a fielder's choice groundout, and then third baseman/pitcher A.J. Daley turned a nice double play by snagging a line drive and then doubling up the runner at first.
"We just want all of those more difficult plays to be routine," Bell coach Paul Gibson said. "With our pitching staff being ground-ball type pitchers, it just goes hand-in-hand. The defense has really helped us get to where we are because our pitchers have been consistent."
Over 12 innings against Midland, Bell's defense recorded 30 of the 36 outs -- there were only six strikeouts. Midland, on the other hand, committed four errors that led to two unearned runs in the series-deciding Game 2.
"Defense really is everything at this point," Daley said. "You're facing better hitters, and you need to make the routine plays."
Nobody embodies the Blue Raiders' defensive mentality more than shortstop Colton Daniels. He made three nice stops in Game 1 against Midland and is the leader of a defense that has committed 66 errors in 41 games for a .936 fielding percentage.
Daniels has always preferred the field to the batter's box. Asked the reason for his love of defense, Daniels pointed to Gibson and the countless ground balls they take in practice.
"It's coach Gibson's fault; he probably hits 200 to 300 balls to me a day," Daniels said with a smile. "But it's really paying off now because we're in the regional finals."
Drew Davison, 817-390-7760
Scouting report: What Hurst L.D. Bell must do to defeat Coronado
MARK M. HANCOCK / Contributor
Hurst L.D. Bell's Blake Scannell (3) dives safely back to first base during Game 2 of a Class 5A second-round baseball series against Coppell on May 14, 2011.
Hurst L.D. Bell (32-9) vs. Lubbock Coronado (30-14)
Game 1: 7:00 Thursday at McMurry Univ., Abilene
Game 2: 8:00 Friday at Hardin-Simmons, Abilene
Game 3 (if nec.): 1:00 Saturday at Hardin-Simmons
Hurst L.D. Bell: Fear the beard. After getting a free pass to grow facial hair from coach Paul Gibson after their win over Coppell in the area round, the bearded Bell -- the champs of a tough 6-5A -- swept district foe Colleyville Heritage in the quarterfinal round and Midland in the semis.
Largely, it has been a result of the pitching performances by Bell's No. 1A and 1B starters, senior right-handers A.J. Daley and Brad Adams. Daley dominated Midland's line-up, pitching a one-hitter in a Game 1 win. Adams has been perfect in the playoffs, going 4-0. But he's been all over the board. He pitched a no-hitter against Grand Prairie, got the win in a 15-10 slugfest in Game 1 against Coppell, and got the close-out win against Heritage with a 1-0 shutout -- a game where he walked eight. He battled against Midland, falling behind early but holding steady for a 5-4 win.
The middle of the Bell lineup, No. 3-6 hitters Hunter Lockwood, Cullen Gassaway, Matt Simmons and A.J. Daley, has been potent in the playoffs. Lockwood, an Oklahoma signee, was the area's 5A home run leader in the regular season (16).
Lubbock Coronado: Coronado -- the District 2-5A runners-up behind Amarillo -- obliterated Plano's pitching in the semis, getting 49 hits in three games. After things looked gloomy after dropping Game 1, 13-12, on a three-run Plano home run in the top of the seventh, Coronado bounced back for a Saturday sweep. That shouldn't be surprising; it was the third straight series that Coronado lost the first game only to sweep a doubleheader to advance.
Coronado is batting over .380, averaging more than nine runs per game the season. Entering the playoffs, every starter on the team was batting at least .310, and six players had an OPS of 1.000 or higher. The front of the lineup -- second baseman Braydon Blackwell, centerfielder Christian Simmons and shortstop Paxton De La Garza -- is especially potent. Blackwell and De La Garza tormented Plano pitching,
going 18 for 28, with five home runs, 15 RBI, and 15 runs scored. Simmons is the team's leading hitter, batting over .480.
Other regions
Region II:
Klein (35-10) vs. Klein Oak (35-14) -- Fresh of sweeping two Dallas-area teams, Rowlett and Jesuit, the District 13-5A rivals go head-to-head for a spot in the state tournament. Both teams split the regular-season series; Klein Oak beat Klein in a district tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed. Last year, Klein beat Klein Collins in the regional final, en route to finishing runners-up.
Region III:
Brazoswood (28-8) vs. Houston Memorial (32-8) -- This is a rematch of last year's Region III semifinal, that Memorial won in three games. On Saturday, Memorial dropped the nation's No. 3-ranked team, Fort Bend Clements, in a three-game series. Clements beat Memorial in last year's regional final to make it to Round Rock.
Region IV:
Corpus Christi Carroll (32-6) vs. Laredo Alexander (29-9).
Carroll -- the defending 5A champs -- started the season as Baseball America'spreseason No. 1, then went 1-3 in its opening tourney. Carroll's gone 31-3 since. Alexander's Mario Maldonado retired 27 of 29 batters he faced in the regional semis, getting a save and a one-hit win.
L.D. Bell overcomes early deficit to sweep 5A Region I semifinal against Midland
Posted Friday, May. 27, 2011
L.D. Bell sweeps Midland, headed to region final
Posted Thursday, May. 26, 2011
Posted Tuesday, May. 24, 2011
L.D. Bell staying loose, focused in postseason
HURST -- Asked what is the key to making the school's deepest postseason run ever, Hurst L.D. Bell right-hander A.J. Daley wasted little time.
"We're just doing our thing," Daley said.
Which refers to the Blue Raiders' ability to stay loose in pressure situations. They deliver timely inside jokes just as often as timely hits. They have learned how to enjoy the moment while remaining focused.
"We have pretty high goals, but we're very relaxed in the dugout," Daley said. "It's just a very close team, and we trust each other."
With that approach, L.D. Bell (30-9) is in the fourth round of the Class 5A playoffs for the first time in school history has reached the 30-win mark for the first time. The Blue Raiders have made the regional semifinals before, but they were only three rounds deep in those years.
Bell will look to go a step further when it faces Midland (29-9) in a best-of-three series in the 5A Region I semifinals, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. The series concludes Friday at Hardin-
Simmons, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The teams met earlier this season, with Midland rallying from a 3-run deficit to win 4-3.
"They can play ball," Blue Raiders catcher Hunter Lockwood said. "If we don't come out ready and get on our horses, they'll take advantage."
But Lockwood and the rest of the Blue Raiders should be ready. They have had an impressive playoff run thus far, sweeping two of their three opponents.
Hitting carried them in the opening two rounds, as they scored 10 and 12 runs in their sweep of Grand Prairie.
In two victories over traditional powerhouse Coppell -- Games 1 and 3 -- L.D. Bell won 15-10 and 7-0.
Then, in its two-game sweep of district rival Colleyville Heritage last week, the Blue Raiders had solid pitching performances by Daley and Brad Adams in 6-3 and 1-0 victories.
The key for both pitchers was keeping the ball low, inducing groundouts and strikeouts.
"A.J. and I were just aggressive, keeping the ball low because it's difficult for hitters to judge if it's a strike or not," said Adams, who threw 61/3 shutout innings against Heritage on Saturday.
Coach Paul Gibson likes how his team has performed, of course, and feels it is in position to make an even deeper run. All they need is to keep doing their thing.
"We told them they have a chance to be great and go where no team at this school has ever gone before," Gibson said. "Not everybody has a chance to be great, but they did it. Now, we want to keep it going."
Follow Drew Davison on Twitter @drewdavison
Posted Saturday, May. 21, 2011
L.D. Bell advances past Colleyville Heritage
to regional semifinals
to regional semifinals
BEDFORD -- Neighboring district rivals Hurst L.D. Bell and Colleyville Heritage squared off Saturday for the fourth time this season and, for the third time, L.D. Bell beat Heritage in a close game.
The Blue Raiders won the Class 5A regional quarterfinals series, making it a sweep with a 1-0 victory at Nathan Danford Field. Bell won the opener 6-3 on Thursday.
It was the third of the four season meetings decided by one run.
Senior pitcher Bradley Adams and reliever Weston Sims combined for a four-hit shutout while the Blue Raiders' offense scratched out the only run in the fourth inning off losing pitcher Chris Smith.
The Blue Raiders (30-9) will play Midland, which swept Arlington, in the regional semifinals. Colleyville Heritage finished 30-9.
"It was a lot of pressure for everybody," said Adams, who has committed to play for Grayson County College. "I had to throw strikes and get the job done. I relied on my defense a lot."
The teams combined for seven double plays. L.D. Bell turned four behind Adams, who gave up four singles and seven walks but had six strikeouts.
Heritage had several chances against Adams, who stranded three in the fourth and sixth innings in two key innings for the defense.
Both times he got around a dangerous hitter, Heritage third baseman Preston Palmeiro. The Blue Raiders intentionally walked Palmeiro in the fourth to load the bases.
But Adams struck out Smith on three pitches to get out of the inning.
In the sixth, Adams struck out pinch hitter Alex Gebert on six pitches after walking consecutive batters following an error to load the bases.
The Blue Raiders sealed the win in the seventh, with Sims getting a groundout and strikeout to leave a runner on.
L.D. Bell scored the game's only run in the fourth with heady base-running from Gavin Gregory. The designated runner for catcher Hunter Lockwood scored from third base when Matt Simmons popped out to first base for the second out.
L.D. Bell uses defense to beat Colleyville Heritage
Baseball playoffs: Big inning for Bell
By From Staff Reports
HS GameTime
c.corbettsmith@gmail.com | Bio
7:36 PM on Sat., May. 14, 2011 | Permalink
Talked with Hurst L.D. Bell pitcher Weston Sims after his dominant Game 3 performance -- allowing two hits, and no base runners past first base after the first inning -- in the deciding 7-0 win over Coppell in the 5A Region I area round series.
The first thing he mentioned in the post-game interview wasn't his control of the strike zone, nor how his team came out prepared after getting shut down in Game 2 earlier on Saturday. Nope, the first thing he wanted to talk about was facial hair.
"The best part about it is that we don't have to shave anymore," Sims said. He elaborated, saying that his head coach, Paul Gibson, has a no facial-hair policy, but Gibson promised the team that if they got past the area round, the ban was lifted.
As his teammates crowded around Sims as he was being asked the question, I turned to them and asked how many of them thought they could get something started this week. By the looks of things, there weren't going to be too many.
"One, two, oh -- him for sure, Trevor [Podsednik]" Sims started to count them off, as some of the players raised their hands.
Gibson said I'd be surprised what his players could do, putting down the razor for a week.
"I've buckled, and let them grow them during practice, but they had to shave it for the games. Some of them had it going pretty good," Gibson said.
Sims admitted that he probably wasn't going to be able to sport a beard, although his teammate suggested a crazy mustache might be in order.
As a supporter of the look, I wish L.D. Bell's team the best. Who knows? If they make it to state, their team photo might be one for the ages
Hurst Bell pitching depth pays off
L.D. Bell coach Paul Gibson pointed to that as a distinct reason for his team's 7-0 win in Saturday’s Game 3 of its Class 5A area-round series with Coppell.
"We've used all three of our guys [starting pitchers] all year," Gibson said. "And it helped us out today."
L.D. Bell's No. 3 starter, Weston Sims, pitched a complete-game two-hitter.
After loading the bases in the first inning and getting out of danger with a double play, Sims didn't allow a base runner to reach second the rest of the game.
"We had a lot of confidence going into that third game," Sims said. "To me, it's the best game I've pitched all year."
L.D. Bell will play district rival Colleyville Heritage in next weekend's Region I quarterfinals.
In the first game of the doubleheader, Coppell forced Game 3 as Jake Elliott held L.D. Bell to five hits in a shutout, striking out five en route to a 4-0 win.
Coppell's Tyler Zabonjik hit a three-run double, driving in three unearned runs in the second inning after L.D. Bell committed an error that could have ended the inning. L.D. Bell's hitters did little better; its first three batters went 1-for-9 with two strikeouts.
As discouraging as that might have been, Gibson between games pointed to "all the sweat" his team had put in to get to this point.
"He reminded us how much work we put into this season, how much this would mean to us if we did what we did out here," shortstop Colten Daniels said.
Gibson's pep talk worked.
In Game 3, L.D. Bell (29-9) scored three runs in a decisive second inning, on a solo home run by Cullen Gassaway, a walk with the bases loaded and an error.
L.D. Bell tacked on more runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh, with No. 9 hitter Daniels hitting his first home run of the year, a two-run shot in the fifth.
2011 - Area Champions
c.corbettsmith@gmail.com | Bio
3:07 PM on Sat., May. 14, 2011 | Permalink
Follow Game 3 of the Class 5A Region I area round series between Coppell and Hurst L.D. Bell here, with live in-game updates.
I'll update score by the inning here ... but if you'd like, you can also follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/corbettsmithDMN
Bottom of 7th: Weston Sims pitches a complete-game two-hitter in 7-0 win. Hurst L.D. Bell advances to play Colleyville Heritage.
Top of 7th: Coppell makes it harder on themselves, allowing a run to score on an error on a 4-6-3 DP. Bell, 7-0.
Bottom of 6th***: Coppell has given up trying to work Sims. Four-pitch inning. Bell, 6-0.
Top of 6th: Two pitching changes for Coppell, Youngstedt for a batter, then Toth from SS, who gets three outs. Bell, 6-0.
Bottom of 5th: Nothing doing for the Coppell offense. Sims in command, despite giving up a four-pitch walk. Bell, 6-0.
Top of 5th: Coppell's Swinton looked as though he was figuring it out, striking out the first two batters of the inning. But a walk of Randy Cook leads to a two-run HR by Colten Daniels. Swinton ends up striking out the side, but not after more damage. Bell, 6-0.
Bottom of the 4th: L.D. Bell's Sims gives up lead-off hit, but doesn't allow a RISP. He's thrown 63 pitches at this point. Bell, 4-0.
Top of 4th: Swinton loads the bases after getting first out. Empkey scores on passed ball. Gets K, pop out to end the inning. Bell, 4-0.
Bottom of 3rd: Sims allows a one-out walk, but gets two foul outs. Bell, 3-0.
Top of 3rd: Swinton gets into trouble with two outs, getting runners on first and second before getting a fly out to right. Bell, 3-0.
Bottom of 2nd: L.D. Bell P Sims settles in. Allows a walk, but leaves him on first. Bell, 3-0.
Top of 2nd: Cullen Gassaway hits a lead-off HR, L.D. Bell then loads the bases, Gardner gets two outs, then walks in a run. Gardner's pulled for Sam Swinton, who allows a run to score on an error by Lawrence Hernandez. Gets a pop out to end the inning. Bell, 3-0.
Bottom of 1st: L.D. Bell starter Weston Sims gets into an even bigger jam, loading the bases with one out. But he too takes advantage of his defense, getting a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning. 0-0
Top of 1st: Coppell sophomore starter Austin Gardner gets out of a potential jam in the first, getting a 4-6-3 inning after walking the first batter he faced. 0-0.
L.D. Bell recovers to beat Coppell, take series
May, 14, 2011
8:27PM CT
By Travis L. Brown
http://espn.go.com/dallas/teams/preps
COPPELL, Texas -- After a setback earlier Saturday, Hurst L.D. Bell remained confident and recovered for a 7-0 victory over Coppell in Game 3 of the Class 5A area round baseball series.
Bell starting pitcher Weston Sims stifled any momentum Coppell had after taking Game 2, allowing just three hits in a complete-game shutout.
After Bell's defense helps Sims escape from a bases-loaded jam in the first with a double play, he settled into his game and was able to spot up his fastball the rest of the way. Sims threw just two strikeouts but pitched to contact and allowed his defense to work behind him, seeing no more than four batters in any inning.
His best inning was the sixth, in which he needed just four pitches to retire Coppell’s 4-5-6 hitters in order. Sims said this was his best start of the season.
“I was just throwing strikes and they were hitting it and my defense was behind me a lot. We had [five] errors the first game and zero in the second, so it helped a lot.”
Bell struggled on defense in Game 2 earlier Saturday, but Sims said the team shook off any jitters and settled into a perfect glove game in Game 3.
Bell scored three in the second inning off Cullen Gassaway's solo home run and a Sydney Daley double. Gassaway sent the second pitch of his at-bat soaring over the left-center fence into a small wind.
"They had been throwing me inside a couple times and I just missed it a couple times, and I knew they were going to come back in there and challenge me up,” Gassaway said. “They did, and I made it happen.”
Coppell couldn't find consistency on the mound in Game 3, forcing coach Don English to go to the bullpen three times during the game.
Bell added its fourth run in the fourth when leadoff hitter Taylor Empkey scored on a passed ball by Coppell catcher Campbell Cooper.
The Raiders homered again in the fifth, this time off the bat of No. 9 hitter Colten Daniels. His shot went over the left-field wall, scoring Randy Cook.
The seventh and final run was driven in on a fielder’s choice hit by Empkey, scoring Cook.
“Hitting is contagious,” Bell coach Paul Gibson said. “We didn’t get anything going that first game but I knew if we break the egg and got a lead, people start relaxing. Gassaway’s home run kind of did that -- kind of lifted the weight off our shoulders a little bit.”
Even just minutes after Bell had taken the series from Coppell, the Raiders were excited to look ahead to the regional quarterfinal round where they will face a close-proximity rival in Colleyville Heritage.
Gibson said he believes sticking with a true three-man rotation through all of district play will give his team an advantage as they continue through the playoffs.
“Playing in our district, playing three games a week, allowed us to have three kids throwing all through district. We talked before the game that we have to use that to our advantage.”
GAME 2: Coppell 4, L.D. Bell 0
Coppell starter Jake Elliot confounded Bell hitters in the five-hit complete game shutout that forced Game 3.
Elliot struck out four and walked one while keeping the Bell bats off balance.
“Hats off to their kid,” Gibson said of the opposing pitcher. “He pitched a great game. You’ve just got to take your hat off to him. Sometimes that’s the way it goes in baseball when a pitcher settles in like he did. That was the difference in Game 1.”
Bell’s defense committed five errors and allowed one unearned run.
Coppell’s Adam Toth began the attack, hitting a two-out triple in the bottom of the first. Right fielder Tyler Hernandez drove him in in the next at bat.
The Cowboys' insurance runs all came in the second. Craig Aikin and Sam Swinton reached on singles to start the inning and Aikin reached home on an error by third baseman Reid Glaze.
Swinton and Matthew Kaskow were driven in on a double by Tyler Zabojnik that hopped over the wall in right center.
“One through nine is as tough a lineup as we’ve seen in a while,” Gibson said of Coppell’s offense.
Bell starting pitcher Weston Sims stifled any momentum Coppell had after taking Game 2, allowing just three hits in a complete-game shutout.
After Bell's defense helps Sims escape from a bases-loaded jam in the first with a double play, he settled into his game and was able to spot up his fastball the rest of the way. Sims threw just two strikeouts but pitched to contact and allowed his defense to work behind him, seeing no more than four batters in any inning.
His best inning was the sixth, in which he needed just four pitches to retire Coppell’s 4-5-6 hitters in order. Sims said this was his best start of the season.
“I was just throwing strikes and they were hitting it and my defense was behind me a lot. We had [five] errors the first game and zero in the second, so it helped a lot.”
Bell struggled on defense in Game 2 earlier Saturday, but Sims said the team shook off any jitters and settled into a perfect glove game in Game 3.
Bell scored three in the second inning off Cullen Gassaway's solo home run and a Sydney Daley double. Gassaway sent the second pitch of his at-bat soaring over the left-center fence into a small wind.
"They had been throwing me inside a couple times and I just missed it a couple times, and I knew they were going to come back in there and challenge me up,” Gassaway said. “They did, and I made it happen.”
Coppell couldn't find consistency on the mound in Game 3, forcing coach Don English to go to the bullpen three times during the game.
Bell added its fourth run in the fourth when leadoff hitter Taylor Empkey scored on a passed ball by Coppell catcher Campbell Cooper.
The Raiders homered again in the fifth, this time off the bat of No. 9 hitter Colten Daniels. His shot went over the left-field wall, scoring Randy Cook.
The seventh and final run was driven in on a fielder’s choice hit by Empkey, scoring Cook.
“Hitting is contagious,” Bell coach Paul Gibson said. “We didn’t get anything going that first game but I knew if we break the egg and got a lead, people start relaxing. Gassaway’s home run kind of did that -- kind of lifted the weight off our shoulders a little bit.”
Even just minutes after Bell had taken the series from Coppell, the Raiders were excited to look ahead to the regional quarterfinal round where they will face a close-proximity rival in Colleyville Heritage.
Gibson said he believes sticking with a true three-man rotation through all of district play will give his team an advantage as they continue through the playoffs.
“Playing in our district, playing three games a week, allowed us to have three kids throwing all through district. We talked before the game that we have to use that to our advantage.”
GAME 2: Coppell 4, L.D. Bell 0
Coppell starter Jake Elliot confounded Bell hitters in the five-hit complete game shutout that forced Game 3.
Elliot struck out four and walked one while keeping the Bell bats off balance.
“Hats off to their kid,” Gibson said of the opposing pitcher. “He pitched a great game. You’ve just got to take your hat off to him. Sometimes that’s the way it goes in baseball when a pitcher settles in like he did. That was the difference in Game 1.”
Bell’s defense committed five errors and allowed one unearned run.
Coppell’s Adam Toth began the attack, hitting a two-out triple in the bottom of the first. Right fielder Tyler Hernandez drove him in in the next at bat.
The Cowboys' insurance runs all came in the second. Craig Aikin and Sam Swinton reached on singles to start the inning and Aikin reached home on an error by third baseman Reid Glaze.
Swinton and Matthew Kaskow were driven in on a double by Tyler Zabojnik that hopped over the wall in right center.
“One through nine is as tough a lineup as we’ve seen in a while,” Gibson said of Coppell’s offense.
Travis L. Brown/ESPNDallas.com
L.D. Bell's Trevor Podsednik throws to first against Coppell. The Raiders stepped up their defense in Game 3 after committing five errors in the first game Saturday.
c.corbettsmith@gmail.com | Bio
2:50 PM on Sat., May. 14, 2011 | Permalink
Sophomore starter Jake Elliott threw a complete-game shutout, allowing five hits while striking out five, as Coppell extended its playoff life with a 4-0 win over Hurst L.D. Bell in Game Two of the Class 5A Region I area round series.
Tyler Hernandez drove in Baylor signee Adam Toth for Coppell with two outs in the first, Toth reaching third on a two-out triple. After back-to-back singles and a costly error by L.D. Bell third baseman Reid Glaze loaded the bases in the second, Tyler Zabonjik hit a three-run double to give Coppell a 4-0 lead.
Only two L.D. Bell base runners reached second base, as Elliott struck out two in the seventh to end the game.
Game Three will start in about 15 minutes or so.
Follow Game Three on Twitter: www.twitter.com/corbettsmithDMN
Check out five area-round baseball playoff series you can't miss
Special to the S-T/Brandon Wade
Brad Adams pitched a five-inning perfect game last Friday against Grand Prairie. He had a three-run double in the series.
Adams has Bell riding high in playoffs
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/05/09/3062403/adams-has-bell-riding-high-in.html#ixzz1M074snjK
Baseball player of the week (5/09): Hurst L.D. Bell's Brad Adams
Posted Thursday, May. 05, 2011
By Brian Hernalsteen
Perfect game
Brad Adams of Hurst L.D. Bell pitched a perfect game, leading the Blue Raiders to a 10-0 victory against Grand Prairie in the opening game of a Class 5A bi-district series. Adams also went 3 for 3 with two singles and a double.
By CORBETT SMITH / The Dallas Morning News
Scoreboard damaged by high winds.
Related items
BASEBALL
Taylor Empkey
Hurst L.D. Bell: Hit a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to give L.D. Bell (24-8, 14-2) a 2-1 win over Colleyville Heritage and the District 6-5A title. Brad Adams struck out 11 for L.D. Bell.
A.J. Daley pitched a two hit shutout as the Hurst L.D. Bell baseball team posted a 10-0 win over Irving, the No. 9 team in the 5A area rankings.
Photo by Brian Small
Congratulations
Blue Raiders
6-5A District Champions
14 - 2
L.D. Bell edges Colleyville Heritage to win 6-5A title
Bell pitcher Brad Adams had a key hit and struck out 11.
HURST -- With two dominant pitchers, runs were at a premium on Friday night. Colleyville Heritage and Hurst L.D. Bell would take them any way it could get them, whether on a wild pitch or an inside-the-park home run from a catcher.
Fittingly, L.D. Bell prevailed with a walk-off infield single by junior outfielder Taylor Empkey to pull out a dramatic 2-1 victory over Colleyville Heritage to win the District 6-5A title at Bell High School.
It's the first district title for the Blue Raiders (24-8, 14-2) since 2008, while it marked the first time in two years the Panthers (24-7-1, 12-3) haven't won a district championship.
"Winning the district title was a goal of ours all season," L.D. Bell coach Paul Gibson said. "I can't say enough about these guys."
It came down to the wire.
With the game tied 1-1 in the seventh, Blue Raiders senior pitcher Brad Adams hit a one-out double down the right-field line, followed by left fielder Randy Cook reaching on a hit by pitch.
Mitchell Dominiec pinch-ran for Adams, and moved to third on a flyout. With two outs, Taylor Empkey hit a hard chopper up the middle. The stop was made but the throw to first was off, sending the Bell players into a dogpile.
"This means everything," said Adams, who went the distance, striking out 11.
Bell caught a break in the sixth, too, when it trailed 1-0. Catcher Hunter Lockwood hit a routine fly ball, but the ball was lost in the lights and the wind. The ball landed 20 yards behind the outfielder, and Lockwood raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run, sliding head-first into home to beat the relay throw.
"I just hustled out of the box," Lockwood said. "I looked over my shoulder and saw he lost it, and my coach kept waving me home."
Heritage scored in the third on Jake Kearns' leadoff double and a wild pitch.
Follow Drew Davison on Twitter @drewdavison
Drew Davison, 817-390-7760
Photos by Brian Small
Baseball player of the week (3/28):
Hurst Bell's Hunter Lockwood
Hurst Bell's Hunter Lockwood
Published Mar 27, 2011 10:07 PM
What he did: Lockwood had two hits in each of Bell’s three wins, going 2-for-3 in Saturday’s 14-13 win over Richland. He hit his area-leading 12th home run in the first, walked with the bases loaded, hit a two-run double and drove in the game-tying run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh — his sixth RBI. Lockwood is batting .486 with 33 RBIs.
Who is he? A 5-11, 185 senior catcher and Oklahoma signee
The stats: For the week, 6-for-11, with a home run, four doubles, nine RBIs
He said it: “Coach said that I was pulling everything, so I should stay with a right-center approach at the plate. It’s been paying off.”
Coach said it: “This week is kind of indicative of what he’s been doing for the last two years.” — Paul Gibson.
Did you know? Bell aims for at least 14 quality at-bats each game after the team saw a sign with that mantra at The Ballpark in Arlington.
Corbett Smith
Honorable mention
|
Player |
School |
Cl. |
Notable |
|
Josh Bell |
Jesuit |
Sr. |
3-4, 2 HR, 8 RBIs in three wins |
|
Tyler Edwards |
SGP |
Sr. |
3-6, grand slam, 7 RBIs, GW hit |
|
Devante Lacy |
Grand Prairie |
Jr. |
3 doubles, six RBIs, GW HR |
|
Eric Swann |
Frisco Wakeland |
Sr. |
8-12, 8 runs, 3 HR, 14 RBIs |
|
Carver Rademacher |
Flower Mound |
Sr. |
4-9, 3 HR, 8 RBIs in three games |
Posted Friday, Mar. 18, 2011
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington 2011
A beautiful day to play 2!
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS CLASSIC CHAMPIONS
Blue Raiders 13 Farmers 2
TCU GAME
A break between games! Blue Raiders defeat
Azle Hornets 2-0. Advance to the Championship Game.
Sat. 3/12 - 6:00pm vs Lewisville at Arlington Heights
MAKE IT HAPPEN 2011
2011 Media Guide
Available at all games for $5
Blue Raiders Record 3-2 in Round Rock
Go Blue Raiders!
Posted Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011
L.D. Bell Blue Raiders 2011
Varsity Baseball
11/22/2010
L.D. Bell Head Coach Paul Gibson and the Blue Raider
Baseball team continued their rich tradition of giving back
to the community by purchasing and delivering complete
Thanksgiving meals. This is the 12th year coaches and
players of the L.D. Bell Baseball team have donated meals
to the Salvation Army in Fort Worth, Texas. The meals
will be distributed to families in need for Thanksgiving.
L.D. Bell Baseball will also partner with 6 Stones Mission
Network in December and adopt three local families.
Happy Thanksgiving from,
The L.D. Bell Blue Raider Baseball Team
L.D. Bell Head Coach Paul Gibson and the Blue Raider
Baseball team continued their rich tradition of giving back
to the community by purchasing and delivering complete
Thanksgiving meals. This is the 12th year coaches and
players of the L.D. Bell Baseball team have donated meals
to the Salvation Army in Fort Worth, Texas. The meals
will be distributed to families in need for Thanksgiving.
L.D. Bell Baseball will also partner with 6 Stones Mission
Network in December and adopt three local families.
Happy Thanksgiving from,
The L.D. Bell Blue Raider Baseball Team
Homecoming Parade 2010
