![Is The Third Time a Charm in Kennard’s Quest for a State Title?](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2023/05/attachment-Kennard-regional-champs-2023.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Is The Third Time a Charm in Kennard’s Quest for a State Title?
Three Dominating Years
For the past three seasons, the Kennard Tigers have been one of the most dominant baseball programs in Texas 1A baseball. With their series win last week against Leverett's Chapel, the Tigers laid claim to their third straight regional championship and their third straight trip to the UIL State Baseball Tournament in Round Rock.
But, There's One Thing Missing
Three back-to-back trips to the state tournament is quite the accomplishment, but this year, the senior-heavy Kennard Tigers want to bring home the trophy that has eluded them.
In 2021, Kennard defeated Hubbard, 3-1, to make it to the State Title game in which they fell to Fayetteville, 6-4. Last year, the Tigers fell to Nazareth, 1-0, in their semifinal match-up.
In 2023, Kennard will take on the Abbott Panthers in a semifinal showdown. The game will take place on Wednesday, June 7 at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, with the first pitch set at 9 a.m.
Kennard vs Abbott
The Tigers come in with a record of 22-12, and they are ranked number 5 in the state. The Panthers are 21-4 on the year, and they sit at number 4 in the state rankings.
Abbott has been to the state 1A tournament four times in the last seven years, but they have yet to win a state title. Last year, they were eliminated in the semifinal game, 16-0, by D'Hanis, the eventual state champs.
Kennard will need to do their best to keep Abbott's bats in check. The Panthers average scoring nearly 12 runs a game. If the Tigers can get the win against Abbott, they will advance to the state championship against either Fayetteville or Nazareth.
Did You Know...
...that Abbott, Texas is the birthplace of Willie Nelson? By the way, Willie played shortstop for the Abbott Panthers.
Send Off For Kennard
Here Are Your Tigers
- 1 Preston Keiffer - Sophomore
- 2 Liam McMinn - Freshman
- 3 Ashton Kammer - Freshman
- 4 Tristan Burgess - Senior
- 7 Adrian Montero - Senior
- 9 Wyatt Rushing - Sophomore
- 10 Dakota Murray - Senior
- 12 Kade Hauck - Senior
- 16 Keyton Lumbreraz - Senior
- 17 Nikolas Dowdy - Sophomore
- 19 Elijah Dowdy - Senior
- 22 Jagger Crawford - Freshman
- 25 Jaden Kulms - Senior
- 32 Coy Smith - Freshman
- Head Coach - Blake Wallace
- Assistant Coaches - Cory Carden, Trey Smith
GO TIGERS!!
2023 Senior Salute Photos
More From Kicks 105
![Good Samaritans Restore Power to Texas Wedding Venue Just in Time](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/07/attachment-Samaritans-Wedding.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Flood Watch Issued for Lufkin, Nacogdoches and Much of East Texas](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/07/attachment-FFW.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lufkin PD Provide Update On Active Shooter Incident at Hospital](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2023/07/attachment-SLHM-DRONE-ARIAL-PHOTO-LUFKIN-HOSPITAL.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Angelina College Basketball to Host Skills Showcase Event](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/07/attachment-THUMBNAIL_Chris-Carpenter-for-Graphic-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Angelina College Soccer Teams Release Upcoming Season Schedule](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/07/attachment-AC-soccer-field.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Hudson Hornet Receives Invite to Georgia Basketball Event](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/07/attachment-Kanaan-Holder-1_BPCC_Region-XIV-Tournament-2023.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UIL to Implement Major Changes to Texas High School Playoffs](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/06/attachment-UIL-Changes.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Did Weslaco’s Amazing Walk Off Grand Slam Almost Not Count?](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/06/attachment-Weslaco-Walk-Off.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Take the Family to the Lake, Saturday is Texas Free Fishing Day](http://townsquare.media/site/151/files/2024/05/attachment-free-fishing.jpg?w=980&q=75)