PORT NECHES — The Port Neches-Groves Indians can already lay claim to the district championship.
The Indians now want to try and take the title all for themselves with a win Friday over Vidor.
PN-G (17-6, 12-1) hosts Vidor (8-5) at 6 p.m. A win would give the Indians the District 22-5A title alone. A Vidor win coupled with a Goose Creek Memorial win over Ozen would tie the Patriots and Indians. Goose Creek and PN-G would then have to play Saturday to break the tie.
“We are already district champions but I know it is important to the kids to win it outright,” PN-G coach Scott Carter said.
Adam Morse is one of those players who want to make sure the Indians have something to celebrate Friday evening. Morse is batting .382 on the year with a team-high 25 RBI.
“It would be nice to go out with a bang in our senior year,” Morse said. “It would be great winning that title in back-to-back years.”
Morse is no stranger to sharing district titles this year. He guided the Indians to a share of the 22-5A-football championship.
“The seniors have worked hard,” Morse said. “All the work we have put in, we need to finish it off right and get the championship.”
The Indians are on an 11-game winning streak and have not lost since March 18 against Goose Creek, 2-1.
PN-G in all has won 14 of its last 15 games.
Carter knows the Pirates will be ready because Vidor needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive.
The Indians defeated the Pirates 2-0 on April 5.
Ryan Leckich threw six-scoreless innings that night and he and Carter Henry gave up no hits.
Leckich had seven strikeouts and Henry struck out two batters in the final inning for the save.
Leckich put the Indians up 2-0 with a two-run double in the first inning of the Indians win over Vidor.
Henry is expected to start against Vidor this Friday with Leckich being the first option out of the bullpen. Henry has a .624 ERA in 33 2/3 innings.
“Vidor is playing outstanding baseball right now,” Carter said. “Kyle (Green) does a great job. They gave us one of the best ballgames we have had.
“We expect a barn burner Friday. We don’t expect to come here and have a rollover. We expect them to play well.”