One win away from the state tournament, the Sulphur Bulldogs saw a memorable season come to an end last week as they dropped a best-of-three Class 4A Area Tournament series to the Lone Grove Longhorns.
Sulphur finished the season with a stellar, 30-8 record after splitting Thursday’s doubleheader before falling in the decisive third game Friday.
The Bulldogs opened the series Thursday with a heartbreaking, 1-0 loss despite a dominant performance from pitcher Michael Morris. Morris threw a complete game, allowing just five hits with no walks, one strikeout, and no earned runs.
Sulphur’s offense produced limited opportunities in the opener, but Colten Cole did everything he could to spark the lineup, going 3-for-3 with a double. Maddax Mobly added the Bulldogs’ only other hit in the narrow defeat.
Facing elimination in game two, Sulphur responded emphatically with a 14-4 victory to force a deciding game Friday.
Drake Wood tossed a complete game in the win, scattering four hits while striking out four. The Bulldog bats erupted for 11 hits, led again by Colten Cole, who went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and five RBIs. Jax Jackson also had a huge performance, finishing 3-for-3 with a double and RBI.
The decisive third game proved difficult for Sulphur as Lone Grove plated 11 runs in the third inning on the way to a 13-3 victory.
Jayden McClure, Brady Foster, Traber Sartors, and Bridge Barrett all saw time on the mound for the Bulldogs. Despite the large deficit, Sulphur continued to battle. Michael Morris led off with a single and later scored, while in the following inning Maddax Mobly drew a walk before Carter Cole blasted a two-run home run for the Bulldogs’ final runs of the season.
Though the season ended one game shy of the state tournament, Sulphur head coach Denton Miller said the accomplishments of this year’s team will not be forgotten.
“It was a special season for our program,” Miller said. “The support we received from the Sulphur community, our parents, alumni, and school administration played a major role in the success we were able to achieve on the field. We’re incredibly grateful for the people who continue to invest in our players and our program.”
Miller praised the senior class for helping guide the Bulldogs to one of the program’s best seasons in recent history.
“As we look ahead to next season, we will certainly miss the production, leadership, and impact of this senior class,” he said. “This group accomplished a great deal, and finishing the year with a 30-8 record is something they should be extremely proud of.”
Even with the disappointment of the season-ending loss, Miller believes the experience will fuel the Bulldogs moving forward.
“At the same time, we’re excited about the future,” Miller said. “We return a talented group of players, and our younger guys are already eager to get back to work. Falling just one game short of the state tournament has added even more motivation heading into the offseason, and I’m looking forward to seeing the growth and development that comes from it.
“I can’t wait to get back to work with this group next spring.”
