Bellaire (24-1)(6-1) finally got the shot they were looking for, a chance to even the score with first place
Westside (18-6)(6-1) 4-1. The last time the two teams met the cardinals dropped a 5-2 decision to the
wolves and it cost them their number 1 national ranking and a game back in the district standings.
Not only are the cardinals ranked number 1 in the state but have a chance to regain their number 1
national spot after current number 1, Jesuit (23-0) of Tampa, FL stumbled against Sarasota High (18-
6) 7-0 last week.
Bellaire are no strangers to the national polls. Being ranked in the country nearly every year is a
cardinal standard.
The cardinals will have a chance to make the jump in at least four different polls. They are currently
ranked number 2 in Baseball America, Rivals, Rise Magazine and USA today.
Bellaire took advantage of Westside’s Ace Daniel Mengden from the outset, coming up with back to
back single to set up the first two runs and the only runs they would need on the night.
Higgins led off the inning with a single, beating out a grounder that was hit to short. Kirby Taylor
followed with a single that bounced off Mengden’s Glove and rolled between his legs but died before
the second baseman could get to it. That put Higgins in scoring position. Both runners moved up to
2nd and 3rd base after a wild pitch by Mengden. Silva drew a base on balls. Chaskins hit into a double
play but brought Higgins home for the cardinals first run. Then Mengden served up his second wild
pitch of the game producing another cardinal run 2-0.
The wolves cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second (2-1) on goodnight’s perfectly placed single,
that dropped right inside the right field line where no cardinal could get to it.
In a losing effort Matt Clayton came up with two gyms, running back to the centerfield fence to catch a
deep fly ball that was scorched by Knoblauch which kept a run off the board. Clayton also made a
great grab on a singing liner to short centerfield with two cardinals in scoring position.