Stateflatonia by Jeff Wick

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

THE FAYETTE COUNTY La Grange, Texas 78945

RECORD

Volume 94, Number 64

One Dollar per Copy

INSIDE

Family History Grads

A group of locals recently learned how to better preserve their family history at Blinn in Schulenburg. Page A5

For The Record Support Group

The Alzheimer’s Support Group meets every third Tuesday of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Fayette Public Library at 855 S. Jefferson in La Grange. For information, contact Cindy Fanning (979) 966-7721.

Twice as Nice!

Flag Day Program

A full Flag Day program will not be held at the Fayette County Courthouse this year as in the past. Howevery, there will still be a short Flag Day ceremony at the courthouse flag pole on Tuesday, June 14 at 8:30 a.m. The La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce was extremely excited to take this program, but they were unable to schedule all the partnering organizations that have assisted in years past.

Clown at Library

Get ready to be entertained by “Ms. Poppy the Clown” and friends at the Fayette Public Library. Ms. Poppy the Clown will entertain you with balloon twisting, magic, puppets, ventriloquism, stories, music, general silliness, and child participation. This show will be held on Wednesday, June 15 at 10:15 a.m. at the Fayette Public Library located at 855 S. Jefferson in La Grange.

Flatonia Wins Second Consecutive State Baseball Title Full Coverage in Section B Today

Members of the Flatonia baseball team pile on top of one another after the final out of the state championship game Thursday.

Fayette, Lee Top List of Counties With Weather-Related Oil Spills By ANDY BEHLEN The Fayette County Record

Heavy rain and flooding ahead of Memorial Day two weeks ago caused a number of oil and produced water spills according to the Texas Railroad Commission. Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas exploration. Of the 21 incidents reported to the RRC between May 18 and June 1 statewide, ten of them took place in Fayette and Lee

counties. “The Railroad Commission responds to all reports of potential oil releases with urgency to ensure protection of public safety and the environment,” said Commission spokesperson Ramona Nye. “Operators are required by Commission rules to report spills to the Commission and contain and remediate releases. “Additionally, the Commission dispatches inspectors

Holy Name Social

to reported spills as quickly as it is safe for them to access a potentially affected area,” Nye said. “The Railroad Commission oversees containment and cleanup to ensure it is done in compliance with RRC rules.” Here’s a list of the spills in Fayette and Lee counties: • Fayette County, Enervest Operating, LLC (Zoch-Schramm Unit Lease); spill caused by flood in Fayette County; 15 See Oil Spills, back page

Flood waters fill this oil-producing site in northern Fayette County following the heavy rains of May 27. Photo by David Lehmann

Quilt Museum Marred by Huge Graffiti

All Sacred Heart Church Holy Name members are encouraged to attend the Annual ‘Social’ and Meeting that includes the Election of Officers on Wednesday evening, June 15 in the Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz Parish Center. The social begins at 6:30 p.m. that includes a fried chicken meal and refreshments, followed by the monthly meeting.

By ANDY BEHLEN

The Fayette County Record

The Texas Quilt Museum is known for the mural that graces its west wall on Washington Street in La Grange. That mural got some unwanted company last week after a graffiti artist ‘tagged’ an unpainted portion of the brick wall to the north of the mural.

There’s more For the Record on Page A2

WEATHER WATCH

Photo by Jeff Wick

“It’s so disappointing to see big city vandalism hit this nice small city,” said Quilt Museum founder and building owner Karey Bresenhan. “I guess we’re just lucky they didn’t deface our mural with their ‘art.’” The vandalism happened sometime prior to Thursday morning, June 9, when workers at neighboring Prosperity Bank

noticed the graffiti and informed the Museum and Police. Police Chief Jackie Skelton said there were no surveillance cameras pointed toward the tucked-away area. The wall is partially obscured from the Square by the Museum’s garden. Bresenhan said flood lights pointed at the mural may have See Graffiti, back page

Nancy Wu, associate concertmaster of the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra works with a young artist on the fine points of violin technique during a master class at Festival Hill Thursday during this summer’s Round Top Music Festival. Photo by H.H. Howze

The Round Top Music Festival in Full Swing

This Week’s Forecast High Low Tuesday: 93 78 Partly cloudy Wednesday: 95 77 Partly cloudy Thursday: 95 75 Clear Friday: 96 75 By H.H. HOWZE Clear The Fayette County Record

Burn Ban Is Lifted

INSIDE TODAY Religion........................ Page A4 Sports.......................... Page B1 Classifieds................Page B6-7 Obituaries.................... Page A6

Some of the nation’s top young concert musicians are in Fayette County for the The Round Top Music Festival, which is now is full swing. Here’s a look ahead at this week’s schedule: On Tuesday, June 14, the annual treat for young and old, the Young Persons Concert from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. in the world famous Festival Hill Concert Hall. It’s free, no reservations necessary. Conductor Emilio Colón will lead members of the Festival Orchestra in The Carnival of the Animals (1886) by the French Romantic composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The Carnival of the Animals is a humorous musical suite of fourteen short movements named for various animals:

The second act of the program is the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 (1946) by Benjamin Britten. Both pieces feature narration written by James Van Demark. On Saturday, June 11 in the Edythe Bates Old Chapel (former La Grange Methodist Church) is a program entitled Woodwinds Galore! from 1:302:40 p.m. It will feature the Wind Quintet in g (1876) by Paul Taffanel, Woodwind Quartet (1933) by Jean Francaix and Summer Music (1956) by Samuel Barber. Tickets are $25 (adult), $10 (student) The afternoon Chamber Music Concert at 3:30 p.m. in the Festival Concert Hall will feature Serenade by Alfred Schnittke; Phantasy Quartet by Benjamin Britten and Trio No. 4 See Festival, back page

Someone painted a large graffiti tag on the west wall of the Texas Quilt Museum sometime before Thursday morning, June 9. Photo by Andy Behlen

Austin: No Room for Sewer Sludge There By ANDY BEHLEN The Fayette County Record

Last week the Record sent questions to the City of Austin about the proposal to dump Austin sewage sludge onto about 1,665 acres of private pastureland along the Colorado River near Ellinger. Jason Hill, spokesperson for the City of Austin’s water department, responded with the following answers on Wednesday. FCR: Does the City have

any control or interest in where the sludge goes? JH: Austin would seek to be protective of the environment wherever the sludge may go. There are also State regulatory guidelines in place that all our processes and operations adhere to. FCR: What kind of restrictions does Austin or Travis County have that prevent sludge from being applied there? JH: I am unaware of any

restrictions that would prevent treated biosolids from being land applied. There are Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (regulatory) restrictions that require the property that is being applied on to be permitted. This is a lengthy process that involves public notifications. At this time there are no permitted parcels of land large enough in the local area which we could land apply our treated biosolids. See Sludge, Page A5

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

SPORTS

The Fayette County Record

TOP ‘DOGS – AGAIN!

The members of the Flatonia baseball team pose on the field at Dell Diamond after Thursday’s championship victory with their state championship medals and holding the state title trophy.

Photo by Jeff Wick

Flatonia Bulldog Baseball Team Caps Dramatic Season By Repeating at 2A State Champions By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

OUND ROCK – No Texas baseball team in 13 years had won two state titles in a row. Then along came the Flatonia Bulldogs, kings of the comeback this season, more than up to the challenge of making history. The Bulldogs, who didn’t even win their own district and who nine times faced win-or-gohome elimination games in the playoffs, completed one of the most dramatic routes to the state title ever with a 7-1 victory over Beckville Thursday at Dell Diamond in the 2A title game. Easton Migl, the title game MVP and the winning pitcher in both the state semifinal and championship game wasn’t even playing baseball a month ago as he battled mono. “He’s a warrior,” said Flatonia head coach Shawn Bruns, who has been the head coach for

all three of Flatonia’s state title teams (1993, 2015 and 2016). “I couldn’t be happier for a great group of guys. These young men persevered.” Flatonia is one of only 12 programs in Texas history to win back-to-back state baseball titles and the first since Fort Bend Elkins did so in 2002-2003. Amazingly, later in the day, West also repeated as 3A champs. “It feels good going back-toback. Teams aren’t supposed to be able to do that, but we found a way,” said senior Matthew Kozelsky, the Bulldogs’s No. 9 hitter, whose two-run triple in the second inning of the title game gave the Bulldogs a lead they would never lose. This year’s title included several of the Bulldog players who were on last year’s state championship team but the way this 2016 bunch went about earning a title was anything but similar. The 2015 Flatonia team went

Nick Flores had a high leg kick as he prepares to deliver a pitch in the state title game. Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

a perfect 10-0 in the playoffs. This season three times Flatonia lost Game 1s of best-of-three playoff series only to rally every time to advance. “Both championships are good but this one is a little sweeter. We worked so hard, we were down in three series. The way this team fought was amazing and I couldn’t be more proud,” said senior pitcher/first baseman Nick Flores. “We put them in tough situations in practice and we tell them this is going to win ballgames in the playoffs. It may not have won them a district title but we got to where we needed to be,” Bruns said. “We kept working and working and got hot at the right time. All you can ask is for an opportunity.” And the Bulldogs made the most of their opportunity. Battle-tested by that tough road to get to Round Rock, See Bulldogs, next page

The seniors on the Flatonia team hoist up the state title trophy.

Photo by Jeff Wick

Easton Migl had stellar pitching outings in both the state semifinal and state title games.

Photo by Jeff Wick

Flatonia shortstop Casen Novak prepares to catch a throw as a Bosqueville runner slides into second in the state semifinal game. Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Flatonia Wins Back-to-Back Titles Continued from front Flatonia dominated when they got to state, downing Bosqueville 10-4 in Wednesday’s semifinals before beating Beckville for the title. Both Bosqueville and Beckville spent time ranked No. 1 in the state this season, and both teams came into the state tournament with just one loss each. The pitchers Flatonia defeated in the semis and the finals had never been beaten this season prior to playing the Bulldogs. Thursday’s state title game started a little rough for Flatonia (29-5) as the Bulldogs went down quietly in the top of the first before Beckville (32-2-1) pounded out three hits and a run in their bottom half of the first. The rest of the game was all Flatonia, however. The bottom of the Bulldogs’ lineup sparked a three-run second inning started by walks to Migl and Nick Flores and then back-to-back triples by Kozelsky and Casen Novak. Flatonia tacked on three more runs in the third inning as Kaddin Mikulik, Braydon Mica and Blaine Besetzny all reached on back-to-back-to-back singles and eventually scored. A squeeze play bunt by Flores got Besetzny to the plate and put the Bulldogs up 6-1.

That’s the way it stayed until the seventh inning as Migl recovered from some early struggles to pitch five innings of fourhit one run baseball. That came on the heels of his four-inning relief performance the day before. “My arm was a little like jello today, but once I threw a couple of innings I felt better,” Migl said. “I didn’t have my best stuff so I had to let my defense work.” For his efforts Migl was awarded the championship game MVP trophy. Flatonia added another insurance run in the top of the seventh when Mica singled and came home to score on a Besetzny triple. Once Migl was pulled after the fifth inning, Beckville might have thought their chances would improve offensively, but that wasn’t the case as Flores pitched two innings of scoreless relief to lock up the victory. As Flores grabbed a comebacker and threw to Migl at first for the game’s final out, the Bulldogs formed a ‘Dog pile on the infield, jumping on top of one another celebrating the victory. “I’m just so proud of them,” Bruns said. “I wish this moment could last forever but I told them you live in the moment and then you start your climb next week for another one.”

6/9/16 –2A State Title Game

Flatonia 7, Beckville 1

Flatonia 033 000 1 – 7 8 2 Beckville 100 000 0 – 1 5 0 Winning pitcher: Easton Migl (5 IP, four hits, 1 run, 4 BBs, 4 Ks); Nick Flores pitched two innings of scoreless relief. Losing pitcher: Braden Wise (3 IP, 6 runs, 6 hits). Flatonia highlights: Casen Novak 1 hit, 3B, 1 RBI; Andrew Dvorak 1 hit, 2B; Kaddin Mikulik 1 hit, 1 run; Braydon Mica 2 hits, BB, 2 runs; Blaine Besetzny 2 hits, 3B, 2 runs, BB; Easton Migl BB; San Juan Ramirez 1 run; Nick Flores 2 BBs, 1 RBI, 1 run; Matthew Kozelsky 1 hit, 3B, 1 run, 2 RBIs, BB. Attendence: 1,213

Flatonia head coach Shawn Bruns is interviewed by Fox News after Thursday’s victory. Photo by Jeff Wick

Braydon Mica makes a catch in the outfield in the state tournament. Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

Luke Freytag bunts the ball in the state semifinal. The Bulldogs had a lot of success bunting the ball Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser this season, especially at the state tournament.

Open 7 Days a Week 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Way to go Dogs! We’re Flatonia proud.

361.865.2454 • 1-10 at FM 609 in Flatonia

Congratulations Bulldogs on your success

Flatonia General Store 625 N. La Grange St. • Flatonia,TX 78941

Congratulations on a great season! (361) 865-3900

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, June 14, 2016

The Flatonia Bulldogs At a Glance Coach: Shawn Bruns Assistant Coaches: Mark Migl, James Zaruba, Bryan Zimmerman Mascot: Bulldogs Colors: Maroon, White, Black Tournament Appearances: 6 (1992, 93, 2008, 14, 15, 16) Season Record: 29-5 Player Information Number Name Class Position 1 Matthew Rowell Junior OF/IF 2 Casen Novak Senior SS 3 Nick Flores Senior IF/P 4 Easton Migl Junior 1B/P 5 Braydon Mica Senior OF/P 6 Corey Lyons Junior OF 7 Blaine Besetzny Senior 3B/P 9 San Juan Ramirez Junior OF/C 10 Kaddin Mikulik Junior 2B/P 12 Matthew Kozelsky Senior OF/P 13 William Ackermann Freshman C 15 Andrew Dvorak Senior C 17 Luke Freytag Senior 3B/P 18 Kyle Etzler Junior IF/P 19 Dylan Dierschke Senior OF 20 Julio Castellano Junior OF/C

Easton Migl holds the championship game MVP trophy presented to him by Charles Breithaupt, ExecuPhoto by Jeff Wick tive Director of the UIL.

Flatonia’s Easton Migl Named Championship Game MVP By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

Nearly a month ago Flatonia junior Easton Migl was watching his teammates fight for their playoff lives without him as he battled to recover from mono. After Thursday’s state title victory, it was Migl hoisting the title game MVP trophy after a memorable performance at the state tournament. “It feels great, but I couldn’t have done it without my team,” said Migl, of winning the MVP award. Migl pitched out of a bases loaded no-out jam in the semifinal game as part of four innings of one hit relief when starter Kaddin Mikulik got in trouble, and then turned around and pitched five innings of one-run baseball as the starting pitcher in Thursday’s title game. “Three weeks ago we thought he was done for the season with mono. He’s a warrior. He was so hurt that he could not play the Evadale series (in the second round of the playoffs). But we

Easton Migl on the mound. Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

had guys step up,” said Flatonia head coach Shawn Bruns. “He got the Dr.’s clearance. The next week we didn’t use him full time. He got better and better as the weeks progressed. “Last week his performance in Mumford set the tone for this weekend.” Migl’s complete game twohit, 13-strikeout performance in Game 3 of the regional final

Forever Vintage Rentals

Congratulations on your 2nd in a row State Championship! 14441 State Hwy 95 N. • Flatonia, TX

series against Big Sandy vaulted Flatonia into the state tournament in the first place. He threw 118 pitches in that game. On just three days rest he threw those four innings against Bosqueville in the semis. Less than 24 hours later he threw five innings against Beckville. “My arm was a little like jello today but once I threw a couple of innings I felt better,” Migl said after the title game. And how did that left arm feel with a state championship medal around his neck? “Right now I feel good,” Migl smiled. For the second consecutive year Easton gets to share the state title celebration with his dad, Flatonia assistant coach Mark Migl. “It’s amazing, almost a dream come true to have your dad as a coach and get to play for him and win a state title with him by my side,” Easton said. “What more can I ask for?”

Managers, Trainers, Statisticians Name Position Lane Janecka Statistician Seth Patten Manager Seth Janak Manager Drew Ellis Manager Cale Janecka Manager Beck Zimmerman Manager

A look of excitement shows on the face of Matthew Kozelsky as he watches his triple fly to right field in the title game. The hit scored the go-ahead runs for the Bulldogs. Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

Smith Dairy Queen Congratulations on your State Championship! show Flatonia PRIDE, wear your shirt to DQ and receive $1 off any combo meal thru June *excluding specials

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, June 14, 2016

State Tournament Notebook

By JEFF WICK

All-State Tourney Team Conference 2A (As selected by the Texas HS Baseball Coaches Association) Pitcher: Ethan Harris So. Beckville Catcher: Toby McClellan Sr. Bosqueville 1B: Nick Flores Sr. Flatonia 2B: Zach Collins Jr. Beckville

3B: Blaine Besetzny Sr. Flatonia SS: Casen Novak Sr. Flatonia OF: Braydon Mica Sr. Flatonia OF: Matthew Kozelsky Sr. Flatonia OF: Ligon West Sr. Stamford Utility: John Bounds Sr. Beckville MVP: Easton Migl Jr. Flatonia

The Fayette County Record

Small Ball

Flatonia’s Blaine Besetzny slides into third base after his triple in the state title game. Photo by Jeff Wick

There is no official record kept for most number of bunts by a team at the state tournament, but Flatonia would have probably broken that record . Up and down the lineup, the Bulldogs executed bunt after bunt. Sometimes they went for hits, and sometimes it was just a matter of sacrificing themselves to move up runners. “We practice it day in and day out,” said senior Nick Flores who put down a perfect squeeze bunt in the title game that scored Blaine Besetzny. “There’s never a day we don’t bunt. It’s a big part of our game. It’s a big part of baseball. It will win and lose games.”

Flatonia Fans

There were 1,213 fans at Dell Diamond to watch the 2A state title game Thursday and the vast majority of them were from Flatonia. And they got louder and louder as their team got closer to clinching the title throughout the game Thursday. “We bring the house to Round Rock. Our Flatonia fans and our community are second to none and that’s why I’ve been there for 25 years. I’ve had five nephews go through the program and two are graduating this year. It’s been a great, great 25 years and we’re going to keep working hard,” said head coach Shawn Bruns.

Catching Calm

The Bulldogs used three different pitchers throughout the state tournament, but senior Andrew Dvorak handled the catching duties for all of them. At several tense times during the two-day state tournament, Dvorak went out to the mound to settle his hurlers down. “I just wanted them to calm down and regain their composure and get back to throwing strikes and that’s what they did,” Dvorak said. Dvorak also reached base four of his eight plate appearances.

A Superb Opponent

Since Flatonia was the defending state champ it might be hard to call their defeat of Beckville an upset, but the Bearcats had to go into the state title game liking their chances after a dominating regular season and an even more dominating postseason. Before playing Flatonia, Beckville was 33-1-1 this season and had outscored their opponents in the playoffs 114-9 including a 9-0 win over Stamford in the state semifinal game.

Three-peat?

It might be too soon to start talking about a three-peat for the Flatonia baseball team but only one other Texas team has ever won three state baseball titles in a row. Brenham did so from 1986-1988.

Flatonia’s Road to The Title Regular Season Opponent Hallettsville Sacred Heart Cuero East Bernard New Braunfels John Paul II Fayetteville Smithville Hallettsville Sacred Heart Anderson-Shiro Louise Weimar Shiner Schulenburg Ganado Fayetteville Louise Weimar Shiner Schulenburg Ganado Hallettsville

Score 12-2 9-6 2-1 12-2 17-0 4-1 15-3 18-2 20-0 2-5 3-2 15-10 7-0 13-0 15-1 0-2 8-6 12-0 14-7 4-1

W/L W W W W W W W W W L W W W W W L W W W W

Playoff Opponent Granger Evadale Evadale Evadale Shiner Shiner Shiner Johnson City LBJ Johnson City LBJ Dallardsville Big Sandy Dallardsville Big Sandy Dallardsville Big Sandy

Score 11-0 1-15 6-0 20-8 0-5 7-5 6-4 4-3 4-3 0-4 4-1 7-0

W/L W L W W L W W W W L W W

State Tournament Bosqueville Beckville

10-4 W 7-1 W

28-2A All-District Team Now that the state tournament is over the 2016 28-2A All-district baseball team can be released. Here are the honorees:

Most Valuable Players: Casen Novak Flatonia Sr. Tanner Sembera Weimar Jr. Offensive Player of the Years: Ty Condel Shiner Sr. Brody Gall Weimar Jr. Defensive Player of the Year: Kaddin Mikulik Flatonia Jr. Newcomers of the Year: Logan Hurt Ganado Fresh. Carter Helmcamp Weimar Soph. Dustin Petras Shiner Soph.

First Team Selections Pitcher Nick Flores Flatonia Sr. Unanimous Ty Boedeker Shiner Jr. Unanimous Easton Migl Flatonia Jr. Tanner Janak Weimar Sr. Catcher Brandon Cerny Shiner Jr. Cullen Maupin Weimar Jr. Infield Blaine Besetzny Flatonia Sr. Unanimous Trevor Holland Weimar Jr. Unanimous Caleb Murrile Shiner Sr. Unanimous Caleb Thedford Ganado Sr. Unanimous Caleb Valchar Schulenburg Jr, Alex Bujnoch Shiner Sr. Outfield Dayton Milner Weimar Sr. Unanimous Garrett McCann Ganado Jr. Unanimous Braydon Mica Flatonia Sr, Braden Rohde Fayetteville Soph. Brice Bernhausen Shiner Sr. Utility Christian Palacious Ganado Jr. Jase Bill Louise Sr. Designated Hitter Jose Gonzalez Ganado Sr. Vance Adamcik Weimar Jr. Second Team Selections Fayetteville: Damon Gerik Soph.

Payton Hemmitt Jr. Flatonia: Andrew Dvorak Sr. Matthew Kozelsky Sr. Ganado: Luke Alvarez Fresh. Matt Bridges Jr. Cameron Lambert Jr. Louise: Tyler Collins Sr. Collin Gonzales Fresh. Blaine Machicek Sr. Ty Tucker Sr, Schulenburg: Davonn Granger Jr. Kolbe Kutac Soph. Jake Salem Jr. Shiner: Matthew Herman Jr. Jerod Moeller Jr. Justin Stein Jr. Weimar: Jerrette Brown Soph. Jarrod Hinze Jr. Parker Holland Jr. Honorable Mention Flatonia: San Juan Ramirez Jr. Kyle Etzler Jr. Luke Freytag Sr. Academic All-District Flatonia: Casen Novak Sr. Nick Flores Sr. Braydon Mica Sr. Blaine Besetzny Sr. Matthew Kozelsky Sr. Andrew Dvorak Sr. Dylan Dierschke Sr. Lane Janecka Sr. Matthew Rowell Jr. Easton Migl Jr. Corey Lyons Jr. San Juan Ramirez Jr. Kaddin Mikulik Jr. Kyle Etzler Jr. Julio Castellano Jr.

Congratulations

Bulldogs on your State Championship!

From all of us at Robert’s Steak House

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Road to Title Filled With Comebacks By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

Nine times during the playoffs Flatonia faced games that if they lost they were done. Each time the Bulldogs prevailed. Here’s a look back at that magical postseason that led to Flatonia’s 2016 state title, with some quotes and stats pulled from the pages of The Fayette County Record as it was happening:

Early Domination

The defending state champion Flatonia baseball team looks really dangerous as they begin another playoff run. Flatonia blew open their first round playoff game with Granger Friday at the fairgrounds in La Grange with a 10-run fourth inning as the Bulldogs cruised to a 11-0 victory. A standing-roomonly crowd watched Flatonia improve their record to 19-2. “The guys really stepped up and gave me some great run support tonight,” said Flatonia pitcher Nick Flores, who threw a complete game two-hitter Friday. “It’s the best feeling to know you can just go out there, relax and just throw the ball.” This game was tight early as Flatonia clung to a 1-0 lead they had fashioned in the first inning when Easton Migl walked, stole second and then scored on a Braydon Mica single. But then came that fourth inning when Flatonia send 14 batters to the plate. The first ten hitters all reached base and scored. Three different Granger pitchers took the mound in that inning and all struggled as Flatonia used a mix of four walks, three bunts, and four other hits to score 10 runs. But the big question is, as the Bulldogs now advance to play in the area round of the playoffs, can Flatonia keep playing well enough to make a run at another state title? “This season it’s going to be about living in the moment,” Bruns said. “This team is a different team than last year’s and they have to forge their own identity, and this team has done that all year. “We’re going to take it game by game. Our district is one of the toughest in the state and our region is tough too. Hopefully next week we can prove ourselves once again.”

5/6/16 – 2A Bidistrict Baseball Playoff

Flatonia 11, Granger 0

Flatonia 100 10 0 – 11 10 0 Granger 000 000 0 – 0 2 4 Winning pitcher: Nick Flores (complete game two-hitter with 3 Ks) Flatonia highlights: Casen Novak 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 run; Easton Migl 2 hits, 2 runs; Kaddin Mikulik 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Braydon Mica 1 hit, 1 run, 1 RBI; Blaine Besetzny 1 run, 1 RBI; Andrew Dvorak 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 run; Kyle Etzler 1 run, 1 RBI; San Juan Ramirez 1 run, 1 RBI; Matthew Kozelsky 1 hit, 1 run, 1 RBI.

Comeback Needed to Down Evadale

The Flatonia baseball team is headed to the third round of the playoffs after beating Evadale in a three-game series over the weekend. The Bulldogs lost Game 1 15-1 Thursday but then bounced back to win the final two games of the series 6-0 and 20-8.

5/12/16

Evadale 15, Flatonia 1 Flatonia 000 10 – 1 6 1

Evadale 933 0 x – 15 9 1 Losing pitcher: Nick Flores Flatonia highlights: Casen Novak 2-for-3, Nick Flores 2-for-2, Andrew Dvorak 1-for-2, Blaine Besetzny 1-for-1. 5/13/16

Flatonia 6, Evadale 0

Evadale 000 000 0 – 0 4 3 Flatonia 002 211 x – 6 10 2 Winning pitcher: Nick Flores Flatonia highlights: Matthew Kozelsky 3-for-3, Braydon Mica 2-for-4, Andrew Dvorak 2-for-3; Kaddin Mikulik 1-for-4, Novak 1-for-4, Kyle Etzler 1-for-3. 5/14/16

Flatonia 20, Evadale 8

Flatonia 600 446 – 10 13 5 Evadale 001 043 – 8 9 7 Winning pitcher: Kaddin Mikulik Flatonia highlights: Mikulik 3-for-5, 3 RBIs, 4 runs; Braydon Mica 2-for-4, 3 RBIs, 2B; Novak 2-for-5, 2 RBis, 2 runs; Etzler 2-for-4, 3 RBI-triple; Flores 2-for-5, 2 2Bs.

Bulldogs Down Shiner in 3

The Flatonia baseball team survived a scare from Shiner in their 2A baseball regional quarterfinal over the weekend. After falling in the series opener 5-0, Flatonia needed to sweep the Comanches (21-9) in both ends of a doubleheader Saturday – and the Bulldogs did just that winning Game 2 by a 7-5 score and then winning Game 3 by a 6-4 margin.

5/20/16 – Game 1

Shiner 5, Flatonia 0

Shiner 301 001 0 – 5 8 0 Flatonia 000 000 0 – 0 4 4 Losing pitcher: Nick Flores Flatonia highlights: Kaddin Mikulik 2-for3, Braydon Mica 1-for-3, Nick Flores 1-for-3. 5/20/16 – Game 2

Flatonia 7, Shiner 5

Flatonia 000 511 0 – 7 11 3 Shiner 010 013 0 – 5 6 2 Winning pitcher: Kaddin Mikulik Flatonia highlights: Blaine Besetzny 2-for4, 3 RBIs; Andrew Dvorak 2-for-3, RBI; Kyle Etzler 1-for-3, 2 RBIs; Matthew Kozelsky 2-for-3, 2B, RBI; Casen Novak 1-for-3, Kaddin Mikulik 1-for-4, Nick Flores 1-for-4, Easton Migl 1-for-3. 5/20/16 – Game 3

Flatonia 6, Shiner 4

Shiner 101 010 0 –4 5 2 Flatonia 401 001 x – 6 7 1 Winning pitcher: Matthew Kozelsky Save: Easton Migl Flatonia highlights: Blaine Besetzny 2-for3, RBI; Easton Migl 1-for-2, RBI; Kyle Etzler 1-for-2, RBI; Braydon Mica RBI, 2 runs; Casen Novak 1-for-2, RBI; Andrew Dvorak 1-for-3.

Nail-biters vs. Johnson City

Another weekend, another edge-of-your-seat-playoff series for the Flatonia baseball team. But the Bulldogs keep surviving and advancing. Flatonia prevailed in a pair of one-run ballgames last week, downing Johnson City twice by identical 4-3 margins Thursday and Saturday in Austin. Those wins were sandwiched around Flatonia High School’s graduation, where the eight senior members of the baseball team earned their diplomas.

5/26/16 – Regional Semifinal Game 1

Flatonia 4, Johnson City 3

Flatonia 103 000 0 – 4 Johnson City 001 000 2 –3 Winning pitcher: Nick Flores Save: Kaddin Mikulik Flatonia highlights: MIkulik 1 run; Matt Kozelsky 1 hit; Andrew Dvorak BB, 1 run; Casen Novak 1 hit, BB, 2 runs; Nick Flores 1 RBI; Easton Migl 1 hit, 2B; Braydon Mica 2 hits, BB, 2 RBIs; Blaine Besetzny 1 hit, 1 RBI. 5/28/16 – Regional Semifinal Game 2

Flatonia 4, Johnson City 3

Flatonia 200 020 0 – 4 Johnson City 010 001 0 – 3 Winning pitcher: Kaddin Mikulik Save: Easton Migl Flatonia highlights: Kozelsky 1 hit; Novak 1 hit, BB, 2 runs; Flores BB, 1 RBI; Braydon Mica 2 RBIs; Besetzny 2 hits, 3B, BB; Dvorak 2 BBs.

Big Rally vs. Big Sandy

The Comeback Kids from Flatonia are alive and well – and headed to the state tournament. For the third time this postseason, Flatonia fought back in a three game series after losing the first game. After losing Game 1 of their regional final to Big Sandy 4-0 Thursday and only getting one hit, Flatonia needed to win both ends of a doubleheader Saturday against the Wildcats to advance, and the Bulldogs did it. Thanks to a three-hitter from pitcher Kaddin Mikulik the Bulldogs beat Big Sandy 4-1 in Game 2 Saturday and then in Game 3, pitcher Easton Migl tossed a two-hitter with 13 strikeouts as the Bulldogs won 7-0. Casen Novak and Matthew Kozelsky had two hits in each of Saturday’s games and Braydon Mica drove in five total runs Saturday.

Flatonia’s Kaddin Mikulik pitches in the state semifinal game.

Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

Congratulations to the Bulldogs!

6/2/16 – Regional Final Game 1

Big Sandy 4, Flatonia 0

Flatonia 000 000 0 – 0 1 0 Big Sandy 004 000 x – 4 8 0 Losing pitcher: Nick Flores Flatonia highlights: Andrew Dvorak 1-for-3. 6/4/16 – Regional Final Game 2

Flatonia 4, Big Sandy 1

Big Sandy 100 000 0 – 1 3 2 Flatonia 000 040 x – 4 7 1 Winning pitcher: Kaddin Mikulik (threehitter with 7 Ks) Flatonia highlights: Braydon Mica 1-for-2, 2-RBI double in the fifth inning; Casen Novak 2-for-4, 2B; Kaddin Mikulik 1-for-4, RBIsingle in the fifth; Matthew Kozelsky 2-for-3, Andrew Dvorak 1-for-4. 6/4/16 – Regional Final Game 3

Flatonia 7, Big Sandy 0

Flatonia 221 101 0 – 7 12 0 Big Sandy 000 000 0 – 0 2 1 Winning pitcher: Easton Migl (2-hitter, 13 Ks) Flatonia highlights: Kaddin Mikulik 4-for-5, 3B, RBI; Casen Novak 2-for-4, RBI double; Matthew Kozelsky 2-for-3, 2 runs; Braydon Mica 1-for-3, 2 RBI double and 3 total RBIs; Andrew Dvorak 1-for-2, Blaine Besetzny 1-for-3, 3B; Nick Flores 1-for-4.

Lane & Cale we are so proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad & Ali

Strong State Semi

ROUND ROCK – Some teams celebrate just getting to the state tournament. For Flatonia it’s a business trip. And the Bulldogs really know how to take care of business at Dell Diamond. For the third consecutive season Flatonia won a state semifinal baseball game here in Round Rock to advance to the state title game. Wednesday the Bulldogs beat Bosqueville’s boys 10-4, handing them only their second loss of the season and downing a pitcher who hadn’t been beaten all season. “We came here to win another state title and not be satisfied with anything less,” said Flatonia head coach Shawn Bruns.

Weimar & Waelder, Texas

6/8/16 – State Semifinal

Flatonia 10, Bosqueville 4

Flatonia 500 140 0 – 10 11 1 Bosqueville 031 000 0 – 4 5 2 Winning pitcher: Easton Migl (four scoreless innings of relief, 5 Ks, 1 hit) Flatonia highlights: Casen Novak 3 hits, 1 run, 2 RBIs; Andrew Dvorak 1 hit, 1 run, 2 BBs; Kaddin Mikulik 1 hit, 2 runs; Braydon Mica 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 RBI; Blaine Besetzny 1 hit, 1 run, 2 RBIs; Easton Migl 1 hit, 1 run, 2 RBIs; Nick Flores 1 hit, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Luke Freytag 1 hit.

Cale

Lane

Casen

Drew

Seth

Coach Shawn Bruns

Congratulations on Back2Back State Championship!

Special congratulations Lane, Casen, Cale, and Coach Shawn Bruns, Seth Janak and Drew Ellis

www.jbfoods.com

The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, June 14, 2016

The bus carrying the Flatonia baseball players drives back into Flatonia between a pair of city firetrucks spraying a tunnel of water. Right: Assistant coach Mark Migl is pretty excited about the title during the Photos by Melissa Brunner welcome home celebration.

State Champs Get a Heroes’ Welcome Home

With his players standing behind him, Flatonia head coach Shawn Bruns addresses the crowd at the welcome home celebration. Below, the players pose with their moms, and catcher Andrew Dvorak addresses the crowd. Photo by Melissa Brunner

Congratulations We are so Proud of you! www.fnbshiner.com 114 N. La Grange • Flatonia, TX • (361) 865-3800

We are so proud of all of your hard work. We love your hustle and enthusiasm. Love, Mom, Dad, Taylor Cody, Clayton & Family