The Jefferson Bulldog baseball team knocked their season opener out of the park last Monday with a 13-5 win at home over Frankston.
“We looked good,” said Bulldog head coach Tyler Foster. “In fact, I’d say we looked better than any other Jefferson team I’ve seen in several years.”
And Foster would know.
He is a native Bulldog and a 2015 Jefferson High School graduate.
“It’s been a thrill— being able to come home and coach here,” Foster said. “A real privilege.”
The Bulldogs went 0-11-1 last year before the ongoing pandemic shutdown UIL activities.
“I was nervous starting out the year,” Foster said. “Having not won a game, you start thinking, ’Is it me? Is the schedule? Is it something else you can’t put your finger on?’ Getting that first win, and in such a big way, was a real boost for everyone.”
Foster said having a roster full of underclassmen in 2020 gave them time to mature as players. .
“We were young last year,” he said. “We have a good bunch of seniors this year. They have assumed the leadership role… they have worked hard and it showed on Monday.”
Though he is excited about his seniors, Foster has a few talented underclassmen in the lineup as well.
Freshman reliever Bryce Clark took to the mound later in the game and logged three strikeouts, no hits, one walk and no runs.
“Bryce finished strong for us,” Foster said.
Fellow freshman Judson Carter also showed potential behind the plate as catcher.
The Bulldogs looked to extended their record with two games in the Springhill Tournament on Thursday.
Results were not available as of press time.
After tournament play over the weekend, the Bulldogs will face Harmony on Monday, March 1, in Big Sandy.
First pitch is set for 7 p.m.