Power Pitching: Magnolia picks up district opener over Panthers

The ace Magnolia will rely on this season is Keegan Chavez and the 6-foot-7 San Jacinto College commit went to work Wednesday night in the District 15-6A opener.

After some struggles last week in the season opener for the right-handed senior, Chavez was on point against Klein Oak. As was reliever Jackson Wilcox.

The Bulldogs topped the Panthers 4-2 as the pair combined on 14 strikeouts and four hits allowed.

Chavez lasted just an inning with four walks and four strikeouts against Beaumont Kelly Catholic.

Almost a week later, he struck out eight in four innings with two earned runs on four hits and two walks.

“I think maybe it was a mental thing,” Chavez said. “I know I needed to come out here and prove that I can have the trust in my teammates to come out week in and week out and have it feel like we’re going to win every game when I’m out there. That’s the ultimate goal. I think I gave us a pretty good shot tonight. Wilcox slamming the door was icing on the cake.”

Magnolia head coach Chris Morris witnessed the work Chavez put in between starts.

“He came over here with Coach (Ely) Whitmire and he and Coach Whitmire went to work,” Morris said. “They got in the bullpen and just did some drill work and spent some time together, (Keegan) got it right and got it fixed.”

Wilcox was unrelenting in his three innings. He set Klein Oak (3-2, 0-1) down in order in all three frames with six strikeouts.

Last week in a 3-0 win over Deer Park at the David Anzaldua Tournament, Wilcox struck out six and walked one in four shutout innings.

“I was really proud of Keegan and Wilcox,” Morris said. “They came out and threw strikes. If you got those strikes, you’ve got a chance to win. They did a really good job on the mound.”

As a staff, Magnolia (4-1, 1-0) has shutout opponents in 24 of the last 25 innings.

Klein Oak got to Chavez in the fourth with RBIs by Brody Fortunato and Bryce Bonnaffans. But that’s been it the last four games.

“We were hoping for that from Keegan and Wilcox comes in and he’s a strike thrower,” Morris said. “He lives down in the zone. He does a great job. We’ve got other guys who have stepped up. They realize that this is their opportunity and they’re taking advantage of it.”

Chavez struck out seven over the first three innings Wednesday.

“The curve ball was there in the first inning,” Chavez said. “Fastball location was there for the most part. I had the defense making great plays and (Jhett) Bubke behind the plate catching a great game.”

Bubke was a part of a three-run bottom of the second inning.

Jacob Hunter wielded a two-run double to the left-field gap. He then scored on Bubke’s RBI groundout.

Magnolia then got a solo homer blast from Ian Pugh to start the bottom of the fourth.

Magnolia’s Ian Pugh (4) rounds toward home and fist bumps head coach Chris Morris after a solo homer in the fourth inning. (Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)

“Jacob Hunter had a big hit for us and Pugh had a big hit,” Morris said. “I thought we had good at-bats all night. We just kind of hit it right at them (at times).”

Both Magnolia and Klein Oak were regional quarterfinalists last year. Magnolia was in 5A while Klein Oak in 6A.

Both the Bulldogs and Panthers had 3-1 starts to the season. Klein Oak came in on a two-game win streak where it scored 23 runs combined in wins over Cypress Lakes and Willis.

“It’s easier on the mound when you have some run support,” Chavez said. “You don’t have to strike everyone out. Biggest thing is letting the defense work and let the offense do what it does.”

Against a 24-win of a year ago, Klein Oak was clearly a measuring stick to start district play. The Bulldogs came in off wins over Deer Park, Clear Brook and La Porte. They then had to wait an extra day while the field dried out to start district play.

Magnolia shutout Klein Oak twice last year and are 4-1 against the Panthers since 2008.

“Not a lot of people know what we have here,” Chavez said. “I think it’s going to be a pretty special year.”

Magnolia starts a three-day marathon at the Klein ISD Tournament. The Bulldogs will play Katy Seven Lakes at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Klein Oak. From there, they play Hendrickson (9 a.m.) and Kingwood (1:30 p.m.) Friday and Cypress Wood (4 p.m.) Saturday.