Bishop Ward High School
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Bishop Ward High School’s varsity baseball team is headed to state for the 12th time in 15 years. After winning back-to-back games the Cyclones became the Kansas Class 4A DII Kansas City Regional Tournament Champions on Tuesday, May 19.
Bishop Ward came into the tournament as the underdog; a fourth seed with a record of nine wins and seven losses.
Head Coach Dennis Hurla said, “Going into regionals, I thought we were ready to play well. We had just lost four tough games in a row and after a good week of practice the team was ready to win.”
The first game they had to face the first seed team, Sante Fe Trail High School (14-2). The game went into extra innings and then 3rd baseman, Junior Brian Whiles, had a hit that caused Bishop Ward to score and finally knock off the regional favorite 4-3.
“Our tough schedule elevated our play and with each week we improved; the kids mental toughness is what will prepare them for this tournament,” said Hurla on getting ready for the post season.
To win the regional tournament, Bishop Ward faced the third seed team, Perry-Lecompton High School (14-5). Bishop Ward scored first, scoring one run off three singles in the third inning. They finished the game strong by upsetting Perry-Lecompton 9-3 and winning the championship.
Both Coach Hurla and the Baseball team would like to thank all the fans and supporters who showed up to the game, “We want to thank everyone, and with the state tournament being located in Topeka this year we’re hoping for a good turnout of support since it is as close to home as it has ever been.”
The Bishop Ward Cyclones head to the Kansas Class 4a DII State Tournament on Thursday, May 28 in Topeka, Kansas. The Cyclones will enter the tournament 11-8 as the sixth seed. They play their first game on May 28 at 6:30 PM at the Hummer Sports Complex against the third seed team, Larned High School (18-3).
If you are unable to attend the game, you can listen live at http://www.greatbendpost.com/listen-live-web-radio/.
More information and updates can be found at http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/Baseball.
