PORT NECHES — Scott Carter took over as Port Neches-Groves’ baseball coach for the current senior class’ sophomore season.
Together, he and the 10 seniors achieved back-to-back outright district championships, a first for the program in at least 25 years.
“It’s one of those things you start working for a long time ago, and you work hard through it,” he said. “We lost the second district ballgame, and a lot of people counted us out at that point. We weren’t playing well, and the kids kind of turned it around and have played extremely well. They’ve always believed and they wanted the 1-spot.”
Behind Carter Henry’s one-hit outing, the Indians turned their share of the District 22-5A title into another outright crown Friday in beating Vidor 10-0 in five innings on Senior Day.
A large contingent of professional scouts was on hand to see Henry one last time in Port Neches, and the University of Houston signee delivered. He was perfect through the first three innings, allowed his only hit to lead off the fourth and walked only three batters, leaving one in scoring position.
Henry, who struck out nine, is used to what coach Carter said is “like a circus” of scouts.
“Just like any other one, go out and compete, do the best I can,” Henry said of his approach. “Some things you want to work on while you’re out there. Command and just win the battles.”
Command he did.
The Indians (18-7, 13-1 in 22-5A) scored 10 runs on seven hits and took advantage of four errors by the Pirates (8-6 in 22-5A), who could have secured a playoff berth with a win. Adam Morse was the lone multiple hitter, going 2 for 4 and scoring three runs.
Cole Girouard, Logan LeJeune, Ryan Leckich, Austin Bost and Jacob Vaughan each had a hit. Morse and Leckich each batted in three runs. Girouard and Vaughan each scored two runs.
Scott Carter said the Indians improved in all phases of the game since a 2-1 loss to Goose Creek Memorial on March 16. With a loss, PN-G would have been co-district champions with GCM and play either a seeding game or flip a coin.
“The team came together and I think our hitting improved,” Carter said. “Our defense has been pretty solid. Our pitching has been pretty good. We don’t walk a lot of people. We’ve got two guys, one going to the U of H and the other to Baylor [Leckich], and they both throw the ball really well. It gives us a chance to win a lot of ballgames.”
Trevin Olbrich delivered Vidor’s only hit to lead off the fourth.
PN-G will play either New Caney Porter in a 5A bi-district series next weekend, with times and locations to be determined.
“We’re excited to keep moving forward and possibly get to Round Rock [for the state championship],” Henry said.