Fourth-Inning Collapse Costs Kilgore Game, Season Against Argyle

CORSICANA -- It took only one inning to change the course of the game.

Kilgore was down, but still within reach of Argyle on Thursday in Game 2 of the 4A Region II regional final series. After the fourth inning, the Bulldogs were doing their best to avoid a run rule.

Ultimately, they didn't. Brendon Dixon, the Eagles' leadoff hitter, sent a ball to deep center with two outs in the bottom of the fifth to drive in Alex Gonzales and secure a 10-0 victory.

"I'm hurt for these kids," coach Eugene Lafitte said. "They've built this program up and this is the bar that we've set. That's what we expect for next year. It's not just a district championship. It's to get right back here in the regional finals."

Kilgore entered the fourth inning trailing 1-0 but left it down 9-0.

Chase Hampton, who started the game at pitcher for the Bulldogs (27-6), struggled mightily in the inning. He walked six batters before Braydon Johnson relieved him.

By then, the damage had been done. Argyle (35-0) scored eight runs, capped by Dillon Carter stealing home to score for the second time that inning.

"It's baseball," Lafitte said. "That's why you play the game. You're not going to nail it down to one thing. You've got to tip your hat to Argyle. When they see someone struggling on the mound, they let you throw some pitches."

Jayce McFarland was a bright spot for Kilgore, notching a pair of doubles in his two at-bats. He nearly scored the tying run in the fourth, reaching third base off Connor Martin's line drive single.

The game concluded Lafitte's first season as coach of the Bulldogs. Although he said he would have preferred to advance farther, he can't complain about the results.

"When I took the job, if you'd have said, 'Hey, you're going to be in the regional finals,' I would have told you that's a flip of the coin. But as the year went on, I knew we had the team to get there. It's a testament to these kids and how hard they've worked in the fall and during the season to get here."