CROSBY — True to form, Nederland grinded out a Game 1 victory.

“We started off slow and didn’t get the bats going until about the fifth inning,” senior Trenton Simon said. “Once we get going, there’s no stopping us.”

The Bulldogs were scoreless with only two hits until sophomore Brock Holton’s leadoff home run in the fifth inning started a surge that saw them take a 7-2 victory over Galena Park in the 5A area round on Friday night at The Ballparks in Crosby. Game 2 will begin at 1 p.m. today at Barbers Hill High School, with Game 3 (if necessary) to immediately follow.

“We eventually scratched some runs just by grinding it out,” Bulldogs coach Bryan Spell said. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win. We’ll take it.”

Holton’s long ball, his first of the season, started a four-run fifth inning for the Bulldogs (24-7-1), who had trailed 2-0. Alex Ortiz reached on an error at third base, Landon Hiltz singled, Adam Roccaforte was hit by a pitch (and later scored on a passed ball), Trenton Simon drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, Alan Underwood was hit and Angel Castillo walked in a run.

“I knew our offense would come through and come clutch in this game,” Holton said.

Spell noted Holton had the capability all season of belting a crucial home run.
“He’s been swinging the ball well as of late,” Spell said. “I think when he gets out of his own head, he’s pretty darn good. That showed in that at-bat, for sure.”

Simon came up big in the sixth with a three-run double. He said there was no concern in the Bulldog dugout when they were still trailing 2-0.

“We’ve been battling all year,” the first baseman said. “Two runs ain’t nothing. We’ve come back from much bigger than that. We knew it was going to fall at some point. We were hitting the ball hard. It fell, and we came out on top tonight.”

Braydon Credeur earned his first victory in the playoffs. The Lamar signee issued six strikeouts and held the Yellowjackets (17-9-3) to three hits, settling down after allowing two runs in the first inning.

“He’s a dog, man,” Simon said. “We’re lucky to have him. We’re glad we’re not facing him any Tuesday or in a playoff series.”

Ortiz doubled, and Hiltz and Roccaforte each singled for Nederland.

Galena Park starter Carlos Calvillo gave up two earned runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings. Arnulfo Garcio worked one full hitless inning, and Jonathan Sunday allowed a walk, hit a batter and gave up the Simon double.

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews