Even if Bridge City and Waco Robinson had played Thursday night, the fate of Game 2 (and possibly Game 3) of the 4A Region III semifinals would have hung in the balance because of the constant pelting of rain in Conroe.
Instead, bad weather got to Huntsville first, and both Bridge City and Robinson coaches agreed to reduce to series to a single-game battle at 7 p.m. Saturday at the University of Houston. Both schools were to hold graduation ceremonies Friday night.
The winner will play Jasper or Little Cypress-Mauriceville for the regional championship. LCM will host that game at Don Gibbens Field at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Bridge City is playing for its 12th appearance in the regional championship and first since 2007.
Eighth-year Cardinals coach Chad Landry said lightning struck “everywhere” in the Huntsville area at the original game time Thursday.
“We were going to wait until about 8:30, and if we saw another lightning strike, we were going to call the game because you have people driving 3-4 hours just to see the game,” Landry said.
The teams met at Sam Houston State University. The Conroe games were to be held at The Woodlands College Park High School.
Landry said he still hasn’t decided on a starter for the now-decisive game. The change from the series, he added, has little effect on whom he’ll send to the mound.
“I had two lineup cards in my hand, and I was going to wait on the Robinson coach to give me his lineup before I gave him one,” Landry said. “The change will all come a lot quicker if our guys get in trouble out there.”
Bridge City beat West Orange-Stark in three games to meet Robinson.
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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews

**CORRECTED to reflect games are scheduled for Saturday night++