'Dogs lose to Lindale to finish OBC
Tonight's game against Gladewater canceled; KHS back in action Thursday
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

GOOD JOB - Kilgore shortstop Steven McBryde (above) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Gilmer. McBryde and the Bulldogs won't face Gladewater tonight; that game has been canceled. They'll be back in action Thursday in a tournament at North Lamar High School in Paris.

Kilgore High School's stay during Saturday's action in the Oil Belt Classic Tournament here at Driller Park was a short one.

The Bulldogs lost to Lindale, 12-5, in a time-limit game played around lunchtime. Kilgore defeated Lindale earlier in the tournament, but the Eagles got a bit of revenge Saturday morning, getting a two-run home run from Tanner Rutledge along the way. Lindale would go on to lose to Pine Tree, 12-3, in the championship round. The Pirates, who are in Kilgore's district, finished the Oil Belt tournament without losing, and are 9-0 on the season.

Against Lindale, KHS got a pair of hits and a pair of runs from shortstop Steven McBryde. The Diamond 'Dogs are now 6-4 on the season.

They were to host Gladewater tonight, but that game has been canceled, coach Jeff Blackstone said. It won't be rescheduled.

The 'Dogs will, however, have a few more games before beginning district play next week. Kilgore will play in this weekend's North Lamar Tournament at North Lamar High School in Paris. KHS opens the tournament on Thursday afternoon against Greenville, a team the Bulldogs defeated in the Rose City Classic in Tyler two weeks ago.

On Friday, Kilgore faces Paris at 1:30 p.m., and then plays host-team North Lamar at 4. The tournament continues on Saturday.

Those will be the final nondistrict games of the regular season for the Bulldogs, who open District 12-4A play Tuesday night at Whitehouse. They'll also be on the road for their second 12-4A game (at Nacogdoches next Friday, March 14). The Bulldogs won't be back at home until Tuesday, March 18, the third district game of the season, hosting Jacksonville.

Kilgore's junior varsity, coached by Ronnie Hendrix, will play in a tournament at Pine Tree this weekend.