Walk-off hit puts Kennedale in Class 3A title game

By Brent Shirley

bshirley@star-telegram.com

AUSTIN -- Kennedale seniors Hayden Elrod and Kevin Marshall each felt sinking disappointment following fielding mistakes in the Wildcats' Class 3A state semifinal game against Robstown on Wednesday afternoon at UT's Disch-Falk Field.

They also experienced redemption that led to a big celebration for the Wildcats.

Marshall barely missed a catch in center field on a fly ball that scored two Robstown runs in the third inning; Elrod made an error at shortstop that led to Robstown tying the game in the top of the seventh.

But Marshall made a stellar defensive play and Elrod hit a walk-off single for a 4-3 Kennedale win to put the Wildcats (32-5-1) in the state championship game tonight at 5:30.

After Elrod short-hopped a throw to first on a grounder to start the top of the seventh, Robstown (29-8) loaded the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly to left tied the game, but Marshall made the defensive play of the game to end the rally.

Marshall caught the second out of the inning on a fly ball to deep center, and Robstown's Brandon Elizondo tagged at third, looking to cross home and take the lead. But Marshall gunned down Elizondo at the plate with a perfect throw for an inning-ending double play.

"It feels good to make up for my mistake," Marshall said, with a wide smile. "I just got on the ball and tried to make a hard throw. I messed up earlier, so I had to get it back for my teammates."

Marshall's throw gave Kennedale a boost going into the bottom of the seventh.

"Once Robstown didn't get a go-ahead run, I knew we were going to win," Kennedale coach Jet Teague said. "Our kids have too much heart. Kevin's throw changed the game. Then we came through in the bottom. It was big."

Kennedale first baseman Justin Braswell led off the bottom of the seventh with a double and moved to third on a bunt. That set up Elrod, who rocketed the first pitch he saw into the left-field corner for a game-winning single.

"I knew I had to make up for that error," Elrod said. "It was right there, and I jumped on it. It felt great. When we lost the lead, we got down a little, but that throw from Kevin lifted us back up. Then we knew something big was going to happen in the seventh."

Kennedale starting pitcher Corey Taylor (12-1) pitched a complete game. He had retired 10 of 11 batters going into the top of the seventh and finished with five strikeouts.

Kennedale will play the Robinson Rockets for the 3A title. Robinson rode a big fifth inning, aided by four Texarkana Pleasant Grove errors, to a 5-1 win in its semifinal game following Kennedale's win.

Brent Shirley, 817-390-7760

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