Cougars end strong playoff campaign

Team Roster: Jacob Fountain, Brandon Hillin, Anthony Smith, Blanton Craft, Travis Matlage, Ryan Sheppard, Josh Clark, Keaton Baker, Kyle Clark, Kolton Brewster, Kolby Baxter, Cody Holland, Drew Flanigan, Pete Sheppard, Tucker Muckleroy, Josh Erickson and Justin Carrell Coaches: Bobby Granger, Kevin Terrier and Bryan Gohlke Photo courtesy of Buna Beacon

It's beenalongdrought for the Buna baseball team.

Buna returned to the Class2Aplayoffsafter a four-yearhiatus. The Cougars made it to the regional semifinals in 2003.

"It's been a long time coming," said Buna coach Kevin Terrier. "The players a re really excited about being the team that got the school back into the playoffs."

And Buna made their return to the playoffs a strong one.

The Cougars, who won the District 24-2A title, had a first-round bye.

Buna opened the playoffs against Troup and had to battle back from an opening game loss to sweep the next two games.

After dropping the opening contest 4-1 to Troup, the Cougars showed their mettle with a 4-1 and 3-2 victory in the final two contests.

The Cougars, then, advanced to play a tough Central Heights team in a best- of- three game series at Lufkin Pollock Central.

"Everyone on the team is ready to play," said Terrier, beforethestart ofthe series. "They are all happy about gaining their first win in the area round and look to continue the streak in the postseason."

The Cougars grounded Central Heights' flight t h rough the playoffs. Buna pounded Central Heights 17-4 in the first game and then finished off the sweep with a 3-2 win in the second game.

Buna's Tucker Muckelroyand Brandon Hillin both pitched 10 innings over the weekend

"I think our defense was phenomenal against Troup," Terrier said after the Central Heights' victories. "Our defense has re a lly been our strength, and I think that's why we have made it this far."

"Our pitchers have re a lly done a good job this year," Terrier said. "They have come through when we needed them to."

Buna, though, met their match in the next round when they faced Hooks. Coming into the best-oft h ree game series, Buna knew they were facing a hot team, but Hooks only got a bit hotter during the playoff sweepofthe Cougars.

Hooks' Josh Stevens hurled a no-hitter, and the Hornets scored six times in the sixth inning to secure a 10-0 ru n - rule victory in Game 1 of the Region III-2A semifinal series at Jim Reeves Memorial Field.

Hooks completed the two-game sweep of the Cougars with 6-0 win in game two.

Buna, which finished the season at 22-7, was outscored 16-0 in the two games. The Cougars managed just four hits against Hooks' pitching.