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E-mail StoryMission accomplished in Drillers' win
| Thursday, May 8 2008 10:57 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, May 8 2008 11:26 PM
The Bakersfield High baseball team wanted more than just a win in its final regular-season game at Highland on Thursday.
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The Drillers were also looking to get on a roll heading into the start of next week's Central Section playoffs.
Mission accomplished on both accounts. BHS (20-11, 9-3 SEYL) scored three runs in the first inning and added four more in the third to fuel a hard-fought 7-5 victory over the Scots.
Highland (14-13, 6-5 SEYL) fought back from an early 7-2 deficit to send the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but BHS reliever Blake Keathley fanned Nick Neri on three straight pitches to end the Southeast Yosemite League contest.
"We're just trying to get a little momentum into the playoffs," said Bakersfield coach Eric Fuller. "I don't know who we're going to play, but it's always good to win before playoffs, a new season."
Highland coach Steve Holloway remained upbeat after the loss.
"We're still smiling," Holloway said. "We are very excited up here at Highland about our chances in Division III valley playoffs."
Keathley pitched two scoreless innings of relief to earn the save and went 1-for-2 with a home run and two walks.
"He got in front of me 0-2 and I was just looking to hit the ball the other way hard on the ground," Keathley said of his home run. "I didn't put that good of swing on it but it went away, so I was happy with that."