NEDERLAND — Conner Kemp was suited for a game like this.

The left-handed Nederland senior struck out seven batters and left five Port Neches-Groves runners stranded in scoring position Friday, leading the Bulldogs to a 5-0 win and a regular-season rivalry sweep. Nederland (8-7-2, 4-0 in 21-5A), winner of five in a row, has taken two from PNG (7-11-1, 0-2) for the second year in a row.

“This win means a lot,” Kemp said. “It’s my senior year. This is my last year here. Today was just the biggest game of the year, pretty much. It’s good to see my teammates have my back as much as I have theirs.”

That might have been the sentiment for Tuesday, as Nederland took a 5-2 win in Port Neches.

Kemp pitched his way out of early trouble after giving up two hits in PNG’s first three at-bats. Carson Roccaforte and Dean Guidry, both of whom singled, made it to third and second bases, respectively, before Kemp struck out a batter and got another to fly out.

Kemp was perfect the next three innings. Ryan Sosa led off the Indians’ half of the fifth with a single, but Kemp recorded another K and retired the next batter before allowing back-to-back walks. Kemp rebounded by throwing his seventh K of the game.

“He’s been pretty special for a long time around here,” Bulldogs coach Bryan Spell said. “He’s a great competitor, obviously a great talent. What he brings to our team more than that, he’s a great leader, plays and pitches with a lot of emotion. When he’s on the mound, he’s got a good chance to win.”

All the while, Nederland backed up Kemp with timely hitting.

PNG starter Khristian Curtis — who struck out eight in five innings — left only leadoff hitter Landon Hiltz at third through the first two innings. Curtis fanned four through 2 2/3 innings when Hiltz walked and Adam Roccaforte singled, leading to a two-run double by Omar Mascorro.

The Bulldogs pushed across a run each on three consecutive at-bats in the fifth. Brock Holton hit a sacrifice fly to score Brian Davila, who got on with a single. Wade Butler and Rene Cunningham lined back-to-back one-run singles to pad the lead.

“I thought the Curtis kid from Port Neches did an outstanding job, himself,” Spell said. “We knew he’s a special talent. We knew we had our work cut out for us.”

Kamden Grant had a single for Nederland in the fourth.

Guidry went 2 for 3 and finished the two-game set 5 for 7 for PNG. He doubled in the sixth and Curtis singled, hoping to ignite a PNG charge, but the next two batters flew out.

Carson Roccaforte threw two strikeouts for PNG in a perfect sixth inning of work.

Nederland has an off-week coming in district play but will visit Bridge City on Tuesday and host Jasper next Friday. PNG will host Dayton on Tuesday and visit the Broncos next Friday.
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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews