NEDERLAND — The Nederland Bulldogs did not make it to the baseball playoffs for the first time since 2008.
It was the Vidor Pirates who knocked out the Bulldogs eight years ago in a play-in game, and it was the Pirates who did it again Saturday.
Vidor claimed the last playoff spot out of District 22-5A with a 10-2. The Pirates (8-6 in 22-5A) move on to face Barbers Hill in the Class 5A Region III bi-district playoffs.
Nederland finishes its season 13-12 overall and 8-6 in the league standings.
The Bulldogs’ season was in trouble after the first inning Saturday, when the Pirates put up six runs. The first six Pirates reached base and eventually scored before Nederland could collect the first out of the game.
Vidor had three singles, two batters hit by pitches and a walk during the stretch.
It was a far cry from the showing Vidor put up Friday night when Port Neches-Groves senior Carter Henry one-hit the Pirates in a 10-0, five-inning victory.
“I told the guys to throw that game away,” Vidor coach Kyle Green said. “We wanted to completely forget about Friday night, and it is obvious we did that. Even with a large lead, I am never comfortable when we are facing Nederland. That is a great program, and they are capable of coming back from any lead.”
It just wasn’t in the cards for the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Nederland did not score until the fourth inning with the Pirates up 8-0.
Bulldogs junior Chase Kemp led off the inning by getting on first off a Vidor error. He was moved to third on a Burke Badon double and came in to score when Caine Williams grounded out.
Justin Carr scored the second run for Nederland in the fifth after reaching on an error and moving to second on a single by Kody Kolb.
“Vidor did a good job of taking advantage of some opportunities [in the first inning],” Nederland coach Bryan Spell said. “They executed their bunts extremely well and got some timely hits. It just went their way today. You have to tip your hat to those guys and Coach Green.”
Vidor jumped on Nederland so quickly, Bulldogs starter Brendon Dunkleberger was not able to get out the first inning. He did not last an inning and gave up six runs on three hits with one walk.
Sophomore Braydon Credeur then went 6 1/3 innings for Nederland and allowed four runs on six hits with four strikeouts.
Vidor’s Steven Landry went four innings and gave up one run on two hits with three strikeouts. Zach Hester pitched the final three innings and allowed one run on one hit with four strikeouts. Hester struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh to end the Bulldogs season.
“We told the guys we are disappointed in the result but are not disappointed in them,” Spell said after completing his first season as head coach. “They came to work every day. It was a great opportunity to be a part of their lives. I wish we could have done a little more this year, especially for the seniors.”