Long Baseball Team Wins District
Ladies and gentlemen, your J.L. Long Middle School Buccaneers — photo by Dessa Watson-Ferris
Community Contribution
The J.L. Long Middle School Buccaneers baseball team defeated Hill Middle School on May 4 by a score of 12-7 and, for the first time in 10 years, seized the title of district champs.
The score was tied 6-6 at the end of regulation play but, since Hill and Long were tied in district standings, an extra inning was required to decide the berth for the bi-district playoffs.
Long broke open the game to move on to bi-district, which will be played at Reverchon Park May 9.
The pitchers in the district championship game were Taylor Murray and Ben Patranella, who also provided power hitting. The Bucs scored multiple runs by stealing home, including steals by Grayson Coker, Ethan Smith, and Tommy Patterson.
RBIs were rampant thanks to Gunnar Duke, Luca Chatham, and Taylor Murray, who brought in Duncan Ferris and Jarred Martinez. A storybook ending was provided by a sliding catch in left field by Gunnar Duke, followed on the next play by a fly-ball caught by Tommy Patterson who then threw to Luca Chatham for the final out at second base securing Long’s win.
Go Bucs!
Pictured — front row: Jake Whitten, Luca Chatham, Ethan Smith, Jacob Morin, Gunnar Duke, Tommy Patterson
Middle row: Coach Chavez, Grayson Coker, Morgan Riney, Will Keeter, James Geron, Coach Nelson
Back row: Jack Pederson, Jarred Martinez, Taylor Murray, Ben Patranella, Alex Newman, Duncan Ferris
Special thanks Dessa Watson-Ferris, who wrote the article and snapped the photograph.
Ginger — Adoptable Dog of the Week from ELPO
Paddy — Adoptable Cat of the Week from ELPO
Body Beautiful Studio
East Dallas Times 
Leave a Comment