The scorching Texas sun shone on Burger field as both teams warmed up and prepared for the last game of the season. For many of these student-athletes, this would be their last game, and you could feel the nervous energy all the way in the stands. This energy was reciprocated by the fans and the tension in the stadium started to rise. Then, just as the tension began to reach its capacity, the first pitch was thrown and with that, the tension turned instantaneously into excitement.
The Bulldogs opened up the game with excellent fielding, securing outs on the first three batters who stepped up to the plate. In the bottom half of the first inning, the Rebels showed great resilience only allowing one run due to an error.
The second inning was more of the same for the Bowie defense as they were once again able to get out of the top of the inning without allowing a hit. However, in the bottom of the second, the game began to heat up as the Bulldogs were able to hit an RBI triple. However, with one out, Hays was able to manufacture an amazing double play off a sacrifice bunt, halting Bowie's momentum in its tracks.
That amazing play, though, would not help them much in the end. Despite only allowing one run in each inning, excluding the bottom of the 5th where they shut Bowie out, Hays would not be able to win the game thanks to a combined no-hitter by Bulldog pitchers Patrick Collopy, Ryan Corbett, and Danny Rodriguez.
In the end, this game was closer than the final score suggests. It felt as if the Rebels had a chance to win all the way to the final strike. Yet it was not to be, and as the last out was recorded, you could feel the excitement from the Bulldogs' bullpen as they celebrated their last victory together. As everyone emptied the stands you could see each team reflecting on the season, reminiscing about the highs and the lows of the past few months. Then, as the sun set on the 2021 high school baseball season for the Bulldogs and Rebels, both fans and players left with a sense of a season well played.