PG Visits KKYR Studio/Gets Ready For Travel to State (Audio)

Most of the Seniors on  the Pleasant Grove Baseball team visited the studio of KKYR Radio to be on the air and talk about their season. 

Below is the audio from their time on the radio, along with Head Coach Riley Fincher, and Pitching Coach Paul Phillips..

The Hawks made it to state by sweeping Decatur in Tyler last week. Game one turned out to be a blowout in favor of the Hawks, which pleased Coach Fincher, "Game 1 was another good pitching performance from Caleb Bolden. He did a great job of locating his pitches, Our offense was able to score early and keep the pressure on the opponent. It was good to see how well we played in all phases of the game."

Game Two turned out to be a completely different affair, with a pitching duel into extra innings. Tyler Jennings who was pitching on just four days rest, was having to work hard early on, but once again refused to yield any runs.

Fincher was impressed with Jeans tenacity on the mound, "Tyler competed well throughout the game. He was having trouble early, but settled in and continued to be a bulldog on the mound and gave his team 6+ great innings. It was good to see him pitch out of pressure situations."

The game came down to the eighth inning as PG pushed across a run with a clutch hit from Heath Ferguson. Clinging to a one run lead, the Hawk defense came through with one out and the tying run on third base. Fincher talked about how the next play came down saying,"Caleb Bolden fielded a hard hit ground ball and did not hesitate to throw out the potential tying run at the plate. Keaton Russo did a great job of blocking the plate and securing the tag."

So, it's back to the State Tournament in Austin for the Hawks. This is their 8th time in the last 10 years and second year in a row to make it to state. It will be a rematch of last years semi-final as the Hawks take on Abilene Wylie.

Fincher says his team is ready for the challenge, "Our guys understand, regardless of our opponent, that everyone in the state tournament is a great team. Our guys are excited about the opportunity to play in Austin."

Caleb Bolden is scheduled to start Wednesday game which starts at 4PM at Disch Faulk Field in Austin. If PG wins that game they will play for the State Championship against the winner of the other semi-final game between Robinson and Sinton. Tyler Jeans would start for the Hawks in the potential championship game.

As they head to state, Coach Fincher would like to express for the team, their thanks for all the support this year, "It's a great feeling to see the support that the community shows our players."

There will be big send off for the team, Tuesday morning at 10AM, from the High School parking lot. If you get a chance head our there for a few minutes and let the boys know your are proud of them and support them all the way to state!

No one knows exactly how the games will unfold in Austin, but one thing we do know is that this group of baseball players at PG, are going to give it their all. They are the perfect example of the old motto that says there is no  "i" in team. They are totally unselfish and will do whatever it takes to make sure their teammates and the team as a whole are successful.

That just might be the recipe for bringing home a State Championship. We certainly hope so. We continue to be very proud of what they continue to accomplish this season.

Go Hawks!!!!!