Bison Gold Machine Pitch Team takes Fourth in State

Congratulations Bison -- 4th in State: Team members include: Collin Stephens, Andrew Sotelo, Erik Sandate, Benito Avila, Caidenn Boss, Hagen Helmcamp, Jarrett Fishbeck, Chase Thompson, Mathew Jonas, Charles Bosh, Marshal Jonas, Trisdon Bynum, Jasper McCloud. Back row: Coachs Travis Bynum, Russell Jonas, Tim McCloud and “Team Granny” Ann Thompson. Van’Go’photo The Bison Gold 8-U team took their A-Game to the State Machine Pitch Tournament in Rusk last week. The youngsters, coached by Dr. Russell Jonas and assisted by Tim McCloud, Travis Bynum and Craig Thompson, and “Team Granny” Ann Thompson, played well in Rusk. In the end they took 4th place in the tournament after they fell to Temple and to Mexia, the team which went on to win the State title.

In Game 1 of the State Tournament the Bison were down 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth, then scored four runs and went ahead 4-2. The other team scored two runs to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning and the game went into extra innings. Finally after two hours of play with the bases loaded and only one out, Mathew Jonas connected for a base hit, scoring the winning run and ending the game. Outstanding fielding by the Bison defense kept the team alive. Caidenn Boss, Andrew Sotello, Marshal Jonas, and Jarrett Fishbeck all caught fly balls that made the Bison defense dominate the Edgewood team that had previously been undefeated.

As the sun began to set behind the tall pine trees of east Texas and the lights came on over the Rusk fields, evening play began with the Bison’s second game against another undefeated team, the Red Sox of Temple. Both teams could boast no losses, had been undefeated in tournament play, and were accustomed to winning either by ten or more runs. They both represented the best of that their districts have to offer.

Play began and the Red Sox scored first with one run in the first inning. The Bison answered in the second with a run of their own to tie the game at one to one. Neither team gave up another run until the top of the fifth when the Temple team scored a single run. Stingy defense by both teams had Buffalo in the bottom of the sixth with one out, a runner on first base, and a runner on third base. The next Bison batter came to the plate with complete confidence. The batter swung, the base runners ran, and the ball went all the way to the fence. Unfortunately for the Bison the ball was out of bounds and the umpire yelled, “Foul Ball”. Not to worry. Two more pitches with a good hit the Buffalo could go ahead of the Red Sox. With this batter it was not to be. Strike three and the batter was out. The Buffalo team was on edge, down by one run the last inning of the game, two outs and two runners on base in scoring position. Fans from both sides of the field yelling and cheering for their home team. The batter approached the plate, sweat pouring from his eightyear old brow, and his coaches yelling encouragement. Everyone knew that this was going to be a game to remember. The batter entered the box and took aim on the ball as a skilled marksman would take aim on his prey. The batter swung and fouled it off to the back of the fence. Everyone took a deep breath as the batter prepared for the second pitch. Runners were ready and the second pitch came in low and fast. The batter swung and missed the ball ever so slightly. The score board posted Strike Two. The coaches yelling from both sides giving last minute instructions to the players in the field all were ready for a grand finale. As the batter prepares himself in the box and the final ball is being loaded into the machine the Baseball World stop turning. The sky was as clear as a bell with a half moon lighting up the sky. There was not a breath of air to be found on that Rusk field. The ball came out of the machine and the batter began his swing. As the ball gained speed the bat came closer to the ball, all eyes were fixed on the batter, but Victory was not to be for the Bison. Strike Three and the game was over 2 to 1 in favor of the Red Sox.

The Bison next faced Lindale, who had just defeated Hillsboro. Both teams had one tournament loss, and each knew that one team would be going home, their season over until next year. The coaches from each team met at home plate for final rule clarifications and the coin toss. The Red Raiders won the toss and elected to be the home team, giving the Bison first bat. Lindale, known for their defensive play, did not allow Buffalo to score at the first bat. In the bottom of the inning Lindale scored six runs, but the boys from Leon county did not get down. With determination in their eyes they knew it was time do go to work before this game got too far out of hand. Buffalo scored three, then Lindale added two to lead 8-3. In the third inning the Bison scored another three runs, closing the gap to two runs. With excellent play from the Bison infield consisting of Chase Thompson, Jarrett Fishbeck, Trisdon Bynum, Collin Stephens, Marshal Jonas, and Mathew Jonas they stopped Lindale from scoring. Buffalo sharpened their aim as they stepped up to bat in the top of the fourth and were able to score two runs against a defense that was as solid as a brick wall. This put the Bison even with the Red Raiders. Again the defensive play of the Bison stopped the Red Raiders in their tracks. With only two more chances at bat, it was time for Buffalo to step into the drivers seat and take control of the game. With excellent hits by Chase Thompson and Bubba Mays and speed base running by Benito Avilla and Andrew Sotello, the Bison scored three runs and took a three-run lead, (11-8). Lindale, too, had come to play. They were able to score two runs and pulled within one run of the Bison as the final inning came up. The game was getting close to being a full two hours long and the clock was preparing to chime ten times. teams. All other games had finished and now the number of spectators had doubled to see which team would enter the elite final four. Everyone knew that a one-run lead was not enough to hold off a team that was capable of scoring seven runs an inning. As the tension increased Mother Nature had added some drama of her own and with lightening flashing in the distance the umpires discontinued play until the weather subsides. Coaches, umpires, and directors consulted the weather advisories and internet radar, and decided to wait. Players and parents are told to go to their vehicles because this is going to be the safest place in the event of a major thunderstorm. After about an hour it was determined that play would continue as long as there were no more chances for lightening. At approximately 11:30, when the majority of the State was sleeping comfortably in their beds, the boys from Lindale and Buffalo squared off for the final inning of this State tournament elimination game. A light rain began to fall as the first batter from Buffalo was called out at first base. The second batter at the plate and became another prey for the hungry Red Raiders. With two outs the Bison manage to get the next batter on base, but he was stranded and Lindale steps up to bat trailing by only one with the heart of their line-up on. The Bison take the field, for the last time to possibly end the season to remember. The first batter steps up and hits a ball so hard it travels about one foot off the ground before it is stopped by Marshal Jonas,but unfortunately the runner is already on first before the ball can be handled to make the out. The light drizzle continues to fall as the clean-up batter addresses the plate. The Bison team make adjustments for a hitter that has already hit the ball three times and gotten on base everytime against them. The ball is pitched and the batter takes a swing. The ball is hit. The runner on first has lightening speed and takes off to score. Jarrett Fishbeck stops the ball for the Bison and throws the batter out, but not before the tying runner makes it to third base in scoring position. One out and a scoring run at third makes the Bison tighten up because two runs will end their season. Emotions are running high the fans begin to cheer for their teams as the next batter steps to the plate. Is this going to be a fatal blow to the Bison? The batter prepares to hit the ball as hard as he can to be the team hero and win the game. Sweat is pouring from the player’s brows as the rain continues to fall. The ball is placed in the machine and here it comes. A swing is taken and the ball is hit well and takes a good bounce. Trisdon Bynum fields the ball, checks the runner at third and throws the ball to Chase Thompson at first, the runner is coming hard and the play is going to be close. The field volume increases to rock concert volume as the runner is called out. The volume continues to increase as the runner from third is heading like a freight train for home plate. Chase has no time to think only react and he throws the ball to Mathew Jonas wearing the catching gear. Mathew focuses on the ball coming because out of the corner of his eye he is preparing to have a collision with a train coming from third base. The ball is caught, the play is going to be close, and the World of Baseball becomes slow motion. Everthing becomes silent the runner is sliding and the catcher is going for the tag. The Buffalo fans jump to their feet, the coaches in yellow are jumping in the air with both hands raised, players are throwing their gloves in the air, the home plate umpire calls the runner out and the game is over at almost midnight. The battle had been played and the Bison were victors. They would go on to play Rusk.

The Bison lost to Mexia but could certainly hold their heads high for making it to the Final Four in the State tournament.

The Press thanks Dr. Jonas for contributing this exciting first-hand account of the tournament.