Montgomery Bears Baseball

Follow the link, to see pictures of the new "Bears Field", which is complete!

One of the big bats in the Montgomery High School varsity baseball team's run to an undefeated 18-4A title and to the third round of the state playoffs will continue his career at the University of Houston next season.

Brandon Allen, a four-year member of the varsity baseball and football teams at Montgomery, has earned a scholarship to compete on the diamond for the Cougars, who are a perennial contender for postseason play in NCAA Division I.

"It feels good," said Allen. "It's a great opportunity to play at the next level. It's something I've wanted to do since I was about four years old." Allen also had offers from Baylor and Sam Houston State, but chose the Cougars because "he liked what he saw" when he visited.

Allen, who is looking to step in right away next season with his powerful left-handed bat, is currently helping the Bears get ready for their Region III-4A quarterfinal series, which be-gins tonight at state-ranked Port Neches-Groves. The Indians, winners of 28 straight, come to Montgomery for game two on Friday night. Game three, if necessary, is Saturday at Barbers Hill. The Bears are coming off a series victory over Beaumont Ozen in the area round.

"It will definitely be a showdown," said Allen. "They're ranked real high, but we're not out of the picture. We're a good ball club that matches up well against them."

Montgomery head coach Clint Heard has nothing but extremely positive things to say about Allen. "Brandon has gotten a lot of attention from college and pro people and I've had a lot of people ask about him," said Heard. "He's got great physical talent. He has all the tools. He can run, hit, hit for power, has an above average arm, and the biggest thing for Brandon is his character. It's off the charts. He's a very quiet leader. He leads by example. His work ethic is beyond reproach.

"He's meant a lot to this ball club and he's getting what he's worked for. None of it has been given to him. He's worked extremely hard to be the player he is. It's like I told him, that I feel very privileged to have been able to coach him and help him improve as a player. He's just fantastic."

Allen has two homers this season and 12 for his career at Montgomery. This season, he's batting .325 with 26 RBIs.

"It was great (winning district undefeated)," said Allen. "It's my senior year and I always wanted to do that. Especially to get the sweep against Brenham and to get our first crown since 1996. That's a good accomplishment."

Allen, who plans on majoring in business at UH, is hoping to some day make it to the Major Leagues. "I'd like to make to the big leagues," he said. "Hopefully after my senior year at Houston."

Allen said there have been several people who have been responsible in helping him achieve all that he has on the baseball field and in life. "I'd like to thank God, first and foremost," he said. "And my parents (Paul and Doris Allen). And my coaches, Coach (Clint) Heard and Coach (Chris) Morris. They've helped me become an all-around player."

05/21/04:

Game 2 - PNG 14 - Montgomery 5

LP: Michael Heard (10-2)

The season came to an end for the 2004 Montgomery Bears, as they ran into a buzz-saw called the Port-Neches Grove Indians (32-2). For the 2nd game in a row, the Indians outplayed the Bears in every aspect of the game. Hats off to the Indians...they are clearly the best 4A team in Region III, with all the tools to take it all in Austin.

Congrats to seniors Brandon Allen, Shan Sullivan and Drew Tucker. All three have been starting on varsity, since their freshman seasons.

05/19/04:

Game 1 - PNG 11 - Montgomery 1

LP: Andrew Clarke

PNG (31-2) run-ruled the Bears (22-11), in a game marred by Montgomery errors. PNG is too good to make any errors against, especially 5 or 6. PNG outplayed the Bears in all areas of the game, tonight. Allen Harrington (12-0) picks up the win, for PNG, while Andrew Clarke takes the loss.

05/16/04:

Game 2 - Beaumont Ozen 6 - Montgomery 3

LP: James Schroeder (2-2)

Montgomery allows 3-unearned runs, while only picking up (6) hits. Schroeder, who left the game trailing only 3-1, takes the loss on the mound, but he hit a homerun in the bottom of the 7th, to make the game closer. Dustin McCandless picked up two hits, in the opener, of the doubleheader.

Game 3 - Montgomery 2 - Beaumont Ozen 1

WP: Andrew Clarke (4-1)

Save: Cody Springer

In a game where both teams combined for only 8-hits, Andrew Clarke and Cody Springer came up with sparkling pitching performances, as the Bears move on to the regional quarterfinals. Clarke pitched into the 5th inning, when Springer was called in to squelch an Ozen rally. Springer pitched the final 2-2/3 innings, while allowing just one hit and dishing out 2-K's, in the 7th inning, to end the game..

The Panthers drew first blood and took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Bears knotted the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second when Brandon Allen led off with a double and scored on Dustin McCandless' sacrifice fly.

In the home half of the fourth, Ozen's Kevin Cooper worked around Allen and walked him on four pitches. Cory Spaugh then executed a sacrifice bunt to perfection, moving Allen to second. Schroeder followed with a single to left before McCandless broke the tie and drove in Allen with a sacrifice fly to center that turned out to be the game winner.

Conroe Courier Story

The Bears will face 20-4A powerhouse Port Neches - Grove, in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Game times will be posted, as they are determined.

PNG Baseball Web Site

05/09/04: The Bears shutout Waltrip HS, 7-0, in a tune-up game, this past Saturday at Bear Field. Michael Heard improved to (9-1) for the season, while the Bears ran their record to (20-9), while their winning streak grew to 14-games.

04/30/04: Montgomery 9 - Brenham 6
WP: James Schroeder
Save: Cody Springer
The Montgomery Bears completed their perfect run, through 18-4A with their 9-6 home victory over the Brenham Cubs. James Schroeder picked up the win, for the Bears, while going (4-2/3IP,4H,3R,2ER,2BB,2K). Freshman Cody Springer picked up the save, while going (2-1/3IP,2H,3R,2BB,3K).

Offensively, Brandon Allen was the Bears hero, going (4-4,2B,HR,4RBI). Derek Washington (2-3,2B,3RBI) and Drew Tucker (2-4,3R,2B) pitched in with a big night, as the Bears collected (12) hits, off four Cubs pitchers. Michael Heard, Shan Sullivan, James Schroeder and Andy Yarotsky, each contributed hits.

The Bears extended their winning streak to (13) games, while winning 16 of their last 18 games. The Bears (19-9, 10-0) will host Waltrip, a week from Saturday, in a tune-up game.

04/27/04: Montgomery moves up to a #5 ranking, in the Chronicle Houston Area Poll.

04/25/04: Unofficial Stats have been posted. Click the link, on the left side of the page.

04/23/04: Montgomery 10 - Terry 0 (six innings)
WP: Michael Heard (8-1, 4-0)

Young Michael Heard did it all, tonight, as the Bears clinched the District 18-4A Championship. The Bears took the early exit, with a 10-0 six inning victory, over Terry.

Heard threw a one-hit shutout (1H,0R,1BB,7K), while going (2-2, 3B, 3RBI). Drew Tucker pitched in, with two hits, 2 runs and 2 stolen bases. The Bears extend their winning streak to 11 games, with a record of (17-9, 8-0).

The Montgomery Bears stay perfect in 18-4A, with another come from behind win, over Lamar Consolidated, 6-3 (9-innings). The Bears pushed across the tying run, in the top of the 7th, to send the game into extra innings.

Michael Heard (7-1,3-0) picked up the win, in relief, going the final three innings (0H,0R,2BB,5K). Derek Washington was the hero tonight, as he hit a bases clearing double, in the 9th inning. Heard (2H,SF,RBI), James Schroeder (2H,BB), Cory Spaugh (2B,RBI), Drew Tucker (1H,2BB), Shan Sullivan and Colby Smith, each picked up hits, for the Bears.

The Bears are now (16-9, 7-0), for the season. Montgomery extends their winning streak to 10-games, while winning 13 of the last 15.

04/20/04: The Bears have made it into the Chronicle's Houston Area Top Ten, as they have won nine straight games, and 12 of the last 14.

04/17/04: The Bears (6-0) now have a three game lead, in first place of Dist. 18-4A. The lead grew to three Friday evening, as Lamar Consolidated edged the Brenham Cubs, 1-0. Brenham, Lamar Cons. and Foster are tied in 2nd place, with a record of (3-3).

The Bears squeak out a close win, against Foster, at Bear Field. Michael Heard (6-1, 2-0) picked up the win, with another strong outing (5-1/3IP,5H,1R,1ER,7K,1BB). Freshman Cody Springer notched a save, while going the final 1-2/3 innings (0H,0R,2K,1BB).

Drew Tucker picked up the only two hits, for the Bears, as they evidently left their bats in their bags. The Bears stay perfect in 18-4A, with a record of (15-9, 6-0).

The Bears defeat arch rivals Brenham Cubs, 6-4, in extra innings, on the road. Down 4-2, in the top of the 7th, the Bears push across two runs, to tie the game. Freshman closer, Cody Springer, gets out of a one out bases loaded jam, in the bottom of the 7th, to send the game to extra innings. The Bears have scored twice, in the top of the 8th, to take an 6-4 lead.

Freshman Cody Springer retires the Cubs in order, in the bottom of the 8th, to pick up his fourth consecutive district win. Cody is now (4-0) for the season.

Spencer Hylander ('05, LHP) got the start on the mound, for the Bears. Hylander goes three innings (5H,4R,1BB,3K), before giving way to James Schroeder ('05, RHP). Schroeder (3-1/3 IP,0H,0R,2BB,4K), who has been suffering from a tender shoulder, pitched a near perfect 3-1/3 innings, in relief. Cody Springer (1-1/3 IP,0H.0R.1BB,1K) goes the last 1-2/3 innings, to pick up the win.

Drew Tucker hits a two run homer, for the Bears, while Michael Heard continued his torrid hitting, with a 4-5 night. Brandon Allen (1-2,2B,HBP,BB,SF,RBI), Shan Sullivan (2-5,RBI), James Schroeder (1H,RBI), Colby Smith and Andy Yarotsky added hits for the Bears.

04/07/04: Montgomery 8 - Waller 6

The Montgomery Bears rallied to take an 8-6 win, over the Waller Bulldogs, at Bear Field. Brandon Allen had a 2-out 3-run single, in the bottom of the 6th, that put the Bears ahead for good. With a 2-out full count, the base runners were moving on the pitch, when Allen dropped a single in right field, as he cleared the bases.

Freshman closer Cody Springer (3-0) picked up his 3rd straight district win, in relief. Springer (1H,0R,0ER,2BB,3K) went the final 1-2/3 innings, allowing 1-hit. Andrew Clarke (6H,4R,4ER,2BB,3K) drew the starting assignment, but was pulled after going 2-1/3 innings. Spencer Hylander (2H,2R,2ER,0BB,6K) went 3-innings, in middle relief.

Michael Heard (2H,BB,RBI), Brandon Allen (1H,HBP,3RBI), Cory Spaugh (1H,2RBI), Derek Washington (3B,BB), Drew Tucker (1H,RBI), Dustin McCandless (1H,RBI) and James Schroeder (2B) had hits for the Bears.

With the win, the Bears hold a perfect (4-0) record, and 1st place in District 18-4A, while raising their season mark, to (13-9). The Bears travel to Brenham (3-1), next Tuesday, for a district showdown against a strong Cubs team.

04/07/04: Montgomery 7 - Terry 4
(8-innings) WP: Cody Springer (2-0)
The Bears took another district road win, as they beat Terry, 7-4, in 8-innings. After the Bears had stranded (15) base runners, for the night, it took freshman relief pitcher, Cody Springer to win the game, in the top of the 8th inning. Cody hit a 2-out bases loaded double, off the top of the centerfield wall, for 3-RBI and the victory, on the mound. Michael Heard left with 2-outs, in the 7th, with a 4-3 lead, but an error tied the game. Heard notched 8-K's, while allowing only 4-hits. Springer came in a pitched 1-1/3 innings, to pick up his 2nd district varsity win (2-0).

Heard led the Bears (4-4, 2-RBI), along with Drew Tucker (3-5, 3B, RBI). Heard and Tucker picked up 8 of the 10 Bear hits, while Springer went 1-1, with the 3-RBI double.

The Bears raised their record to (12-9, 3-0), as they remain tied with Brenham, as the 18-4A leaders.

04/03/04: Montgomery 4 - Lamar Consolidated 2
WP: Cody Springer ('07, RHP), Save: Michael Heard ('06, LHP)

The Bears woke their bats up, in the bottom of the 5th inning, to score four runs. Down 2-0, with two outs, the Bears started a rally that would include 2-HBP, 1-BB, 3-H & 4-runs. Cory Spaugh ('05, C) led the Bears with two hits, which included the big 2-out, 2-RBI single, in the 5th inning. Shan Sullivan ('04, SS) had a 2-out, 2RBI double that tied the score.

Dustin McCandless ('05, LHP) left the mound trailing 2-0, after 4-2/3 innings. Freshman, Cody Springer pitched one out, in relief, to get the win (1st varsity win), as the Bears rallied. Michael Heard pitched the final six outs, for the save. The Bears raised their season record to (11-9), while they moved to (2-0) in district play.

WP: Michael Heard (5-1)
Montgomery opened their district schedule with a lopsided win over Foster. Michael Heard picked up his 5th straight win (5-1, 1-0), as he went 6-1/3IP, 3H, 2ER, 4BB, 12K. Spencer Hylander finished in relief, getting the final two outs of the game.

Leading the Bears bats were Shan Sullivan (2-4, 2B, 2-RBI), Drew Tucker (2-5, RBI), Cory Spaugh (2-4, RBI), Brandon Allen (1-4, 2-RBI) and Colby Smith (1-2, 2-BB, 2B, 2-RBI). The Bears collected a total of 11-hits, as the bats awoke for the first district win.

03/27/04: Montgomery 8 - Caney Creek 0
WP: Dustin McCandless , LP: Carnline
Montgomery shut out Caney Creek, at Bear Field today, in the final pre-district game for both teams. Dustin McCandless pitched 5-2/3 innings of two-hit shutout ball, before freshman Cody Springer came in for the final 1-1/3 innings.

News from the JV.......Davis Schroeder, freshman brother to the Bear's James Schroeder, pitched a 5-inning perfect game, in a run ruling of the Oak Ridge JV. Davis struck out 14 of the 15 hitters he faced. The only other out was a dribbler to the mound. The younger Schroeder pitched for the varsity, in relief, twice during the pre-district tournaments.

After spotting the War Eagles three runs, in the top of the first inning, the Montgomery Bears came back to take a non-district game, at Bear Field.

Spencer Hylander (1-3), a junior LHP, pitched the final 4-innings, in relief, as he picked up his 1st varsity win, while allowing one unearned run. Andrew Clarke left the game trailing 3-0, after allowing 3-unearned runs, on a homerun by OR's John Campbell, in the 1st inning. Hylander came in and handled the War Eagles the rest of the way.

The Bears were led at the plate by Michael Heard (3-2, 3B, RBI), Cory Spaugh, Drew Tucker and Cody Duplantis.

03/23/04: The Bears defeated Willis, 10-0, in a 5-inning run rule affair, at Bears Field. Michael Heard (4-1) pitched a no-hitter, for his fourth victory, in a row. Michael extended his hitless innings streak to 10-2/3 innings.

Leading the Bears at the plate were Drew Tucker, Brandon Allen and James Schroeder, who each picked up two hits. This was easily one of the best outings for the Bears, as they played errorless ball, while getting 8-hits, 6-BB's and 2-HPB's, in 4-innings.

The Bears took a run-rule victory, over Sherman, 13-2, in the opening round of the Hewitt-Midway Tournament.

Michael Heard (3-1, LHP/RF) took the victory, as he threw 4-2/3 no-hit innings. Heard picked up 7-K's, while walking four and allowing 2-unearned runs. Heard was unhittable, while super freshman Cody Springer (RHP) finished the final 1-1/3 innings.

Leading the Bears hitting attack were Cory Spaugh (4-4, 2B, 3-RBI) and Drew Tucker (3-4, 3-R). Colby Smith (2-3, 2-RBI), Derek Washington (2-4, RBI), Brandon Allen (1-3, 3-RBI), Heard (1-3, 2-BB, RBI) also contributed.

Sherman HS came into the contest with a lofty (10-2) record. This was clearly a good outing, for the Bears, who have struggled out of the gate, this spring. Hopefully, this will get the Bears jump-started, before district play begins. The Bears will face Longview Pinetree and Hewitt-Midway, Friday at 11:00am and 2:00pm.

03/16/04: Montgomery defeated Navasota, 7-3, at Bear Field, Tuesday night. The Bears pitched by committee, as they held Navasota to one hit and one earned run. Spencer Hylander, Cody Springer, Andrew Clarke (WP), Michael Heard and James Schroeder all threw very well. The Bear bats woke up with 5-extra base hits that rattled the left field wall.

Mike Heard had 2-hits, while Brandon Allen, Shan Sullivan and James Schroeder each banged one off the wall, for extra base hits.

03/14/04: The Bears fell to Angleton, 4-3, as the bats, again, remained silent. Wasted was a good outing on the mound, for sophomore Andrew Clarke (RHP). Andrew took the loss, while allowing 3-earned runs, in a complete game outing. Michael Heard picked up 2-hits and 2-RBI, as the Bears could manage only 5-hits, as a team.

03/13/04: After collecting 17-hits, in Thursday night's game, the Bears bats turned to ice, as they dropped two games Friday.

Huntsville 7 - Montgomery 3
LP - McCandless

New Caney 4 - Montgomery 0
WP - Turner, LP - Hylander

03/11/04: Montgomery 12 - New Caney 1 (4-1/2 innings)
The Bears pounded out (17) hits, in 4-innings, to take the opener of the Montgomery Bears Invitational. Michael Heard - LHP (2-1) limited the New Caney Eagles to one run, with 3H, 3BB, 8K's. Mike helped himself at the plate collecting a hit, 2-BB's and an RBI. All the Bear starters reached on at least one base hit.

Shan Sullivan (3-3, 2R, 4RBI), Drew Tucker (4-3, 3R, 1RBI), Cory Spaugh (3-2, 3B, 1RBI), James Schroeder (3-2, 2B, 2RBI), Dustin McCandless (3-2, R, 2RBI), Derek Washington (3-2, 2B, R), Brandon Allen (3-1, R, RBI), Colby Smith (3-1, R).

The Bears also went 5-errorless innings, in the field. Friday the Bears will square off against Huntsville (3pm) and New Caney (6pm), in the 2nd day of the tourney.

03/07/04: Montgomery closed out pool play, in the Brenham Tournament, with a 2-2 record. The Bears split their two games Saturday evening, against Santa Fe and Alvin.

Montgomery 11 - Santa Fe 0 (5-innings)
Michael Heard threw a 1-hitter (2BB, 9K), as the Bears pounded the ball for double digit hits. Cory Spaugh, Dustin McCandless, Brandon Allen, Heard, Shan Sullivan, Drew Tucker and James Schroeder all collected hits, in the opener.

Alvin 8 - Montgomery 6
Freshman Cody Springer picked up the loss, in relief, as he earned his first varsity appearance, against the 5A Yellow Jackets. Alvin comes back with a 4-run 7th inning rally, to take the nightcap. Basically, this was an ugly game, for both teams. The only real highlight, for the Bears, was a 2-run towering homerun, by Brandon Allen.

03/06/04: The Bears began the 1st day of the Brenham Tournament, with a Jeckle & Hyde performance. Montgomery is hosting a 5-team pool, due to the end of week rainy conditions.

Montgomery began the evening with an uninspired 12-1 loss, to Little Cypress Mauriceville. LCM looked unbeatable, while the Bears looked uninterested. Again, their pitching and hitting failed them, as Spencer Hylander took the loss. The Bears only managed two hits, while LCM stroked the ball, at will. One bright spot, for the Bears, was freshman Davis Schroeder (RHP), who made his varsity debut, in relief.

After a friendly speech from Coach Heard, the Bears took the field, looking like a different team, against the 5A Belton Tigers. Sophomore Andrew Clarke (RHP) handled the Tigers, for 4-innings, as he picked up his first varsity victory, helping the Bears to a 6-3 win. Clarke stymied the Tigers, while holding them to 2-hits. Again Davis Schroeder looked impressive as he came on in relief. Davis worked two innings, before older brother James Schroeder came on to pitch the 7-inning. The Bears' bats woke up from hibernation, led by Michael Heard's 2-hits & 3RBI performance. Brandon Allen, Shan Sullivan and Cory Spaugh swung the bat well. Dew Tucker looked good, as he was moved back into the lead-off slot, in the order.

03/03/04: The Bears lost to Bellville 10-3, as their pitching and hitting failed them, on the road. Dustin McCandless took the loss, on the mound. Spencer Hylander, Jake Kelly and Michael Heard pitched in relief, for the Bears.

02/28/04: The Bears dropped their season opener, with a 6-2 loss, against the 2003 4A State Champions, Hewitt-Midway Panthers.

Michael Heard took the loss for Montgomery as he gave up four runs (3-unearned runs) on four hits, while walking four and striking out two. Spencer Hylander came in to relieve Heard in the fourth and pitched two strong scoreless innings, giving up four hits. Schroeder pitched the final two innings and gave up two runs on three hits.

The Bears bats weren't exactly quiet, as they picked up six hits, while hitting the ball sharply on numerous occasions. The Panthers played sparkling defense, as they made several saving catches, in the outfield. Dustin McCandless led the Bears with 3-hits, while Brandon Allen, James Schroeder, Cory Spaugh and Spencer Hylander each contributed with a hit.

02/27/04: The Bears open the regular season, tonight, as they host 4A powerhouse, Hewitt-Midway (Waco), at 7pm. Come out to the ballpark and see some great baseball!

02/24/04: Another Montgomery Bears graduate, Trey Schurr (LHP, '03), picked up his 1st collegiate win, as he pitched UT-Dallas to a victory. From the UT-D web site.....

Freshman Frederick Schurr from Montgomery, TX got the start and the win, throwing six solid innings and giving up just one run, five hits and striking out five. Daniel Ford and Darius Wu worked the final three shutout innings, surrendering just a single hit.

02/24/04: Montgomery Bears own Shan Sullivan has been selected to the "Chronicle All-Greater Houston Team", for 2004. Shan was selected as an infielder, on the 2nd team. This may be a first, for a Bear baseball players. Bradley Korhring, from Brenham, was on the 1st team selection, proving that 18-4A has it's share of talent.

02/22/04: Montgomery Bears graduate, Casey Springer (RHP, '03), picked up his 1st collegiate win, as he pitched Sam Houston State to victory, over UT-Pan Am. From the SHSU web site.....

Freshman Casey Springer gave the Bearkat baseball team another solid start, and senior Carroll Kelly made the most of his opportunities Saturday. Thanks to Springer and Kelly, the Bearkats (3-2-1) beat the Broncs of Texas-Pan American 10-5 in the middle game of a three-game series at Holleman Field. Springer (1-0) overcame a rocky third inning, and like Friday's starter Zach Adkisson, he threw 6 2/3 strong innings. The true freshman from Montgomery allowed five hits and only one earned run with two walks and six strikeouts Saturday.

"Another day, our starting pitcher got us into the seventh inning. You've got to be happy with that, especially after the third inning," Bearkats coach Chris Rupp said. "Springer came back and stopped the bleeding. He went on and made it a good outing. "That shows a little maturity in this ball club because that was our big problem last year. We didn't ever get it totally stopped. Today, we stopped it and I was real proud of how Springer settled down and kept his composure."

Pan American scored three unearned runs off Springer in the third, but the rookie right-hander settled down and pitched into the seventh inning. He left the game with the Bearkats leading 7-4.

Also, Ex-Bear Stephen Spaugh (C, '02) has been tearing it up, with the bat for Panola College, as he has hit .360, in the first 8-games of the season. Stephen is 2nd, on the team, with 7-RBI.

02/22/04: The Montgomery Bears hosted their Annual Bar-B-Que Fundraiser, as New Caney and A&M Consolidated participated in the three-team round robin.

The Bears bats were non-existent, as they garnered only three hits, in 12-innings. The pitching was better than the hitting, but not as crisp as the coaching staff is expecting. Dustin McCandless and Spencer Hylander shared the mound duties, in a 5-inning game, against New Caney. The Bears dropped that contest 4-1. Michael Heard, James Schroeder and Jake Kelly pitched the 7-inning game, as the Bears lost 4-0, to a very talented AMC squad. Schroeder look really good, as did Heard, after a shaky two innings.

02/18/04: The Montgomery Bears hosted Bryan HS, Tuesday evening, in a 12-inning scrimmage. The final score was a lopsided 21-6, in favor of the Bears. The Bears hit the ball up and down the lineup, with Cory Spaugh leading the way, with 2-hits and 4RBI.

On the mound, Spencer Hylander, Jake Kelly, James Schroeder, Dustin McCandless and Michael Heard, each got quality time.

02/15/04: The Montgomery Bears managed to get in 4-innings, before weather halted their opening scrimmage, against Navasota HS. The Bears were leading 7-2, when play ended.

Michael Heard pitched 3-innings, while giving up 2-unearned runs and striking out (6) Rattlers. Dustin McCandless pitched one scoreless innings, in relief. Colby Smith ('06, LF) hit a bomb, for the Bears, while Drew Tucker, Cory Spaugh, Dustin McCandless, and Cody Duplantis contributed with base hits.

02/07/04: The Montgomery Bears have been well represented, in two Perfect Game National Showcases. Drew Tucker, Shan Sullivan, Brandon Allen and Michael Heard, each had impressive outings.

5/11/03: Montgomery wins the Area Title!

The #7 State ranked Montgomery Bears took the area title, by winning the decisive 3rd game of the series, 8-3, over the 19-4A Champions, Oak Right War Eagles.

The War Eagles forced a 3rd game, after taking a 17-15 twelve inning victory, in what turned out to be a slugfest. There were 56-hits (Mont-32, OR-24), in a game where the lead changed ten times. Oak Ridge was led by Ricky Thomas and Mike Lawson, who each homered twice. Thomas had a walk-off 3-run dinger, in the bottom of the 12th inning.

The Bears racked up some impressive offensive numbers, for the doubleheader. Montgomery scored 23-runs, on 44-hits, in the 19-innings that were played, Saturday. More impressive is that this was done in 90+ degree temperature, with a heat index of 120-degrees.

Some of the personal stats were staggering, such as Shan Sullivan (6H,5R,4RBI,1-2B,2HR), Brandon Allen (5H,3R,4RBI,2-2B,HR), Dustin McCandless (5H,3R,4RBI,HR), Matt Bess (4H,2R,4RBI,2-2B), Cory Spaugh (5H,2RBI), Matt Yarotsky (4H,4R,3RBI,2-2B), Michael Heard (4H,1R,RBI), Drew Tucker (5H,2R,RBI,2-2B), Jarrod Jensen (3H). Defensively, Tucker flashed the leather, around second base, with some sparkling plays.

On the mound Trey Schurr battled the War Eagles, in Game 2. Trey went 6-innings, in the opener, as James Schroeder (3-1) picked up the loss, pitching 6-innings, in relief.

In Game 3, Michael Heard took the mound, after enduring the 12-innings of heat, in Game 2's marathon. Heard (4-0) picked up the win, as he went 5-2/3 innings, while allowing just two runs. Dustin McCandless, a hard throwing soph LHP, snagged the save, as he closed out the final 1-1/3 innings. McCandless helped his cause, by ripping a 3-run homerun, in the top of the 7th inning.

Montgomery (25-5) will now face 17-4A Champions, Pflugerville Connally, in the 4A Region-III quarterfinals.


Brandon Allen gets a warm welcome from his Bear teammates, after his go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th inning, in Game 2 Saturday.	Montgomery LHP/RF, Dustin McCandless, had an RBI single in the Bear's 7-2 victory Friday night. Dustin, also, contributed, from the mound.
Game 1 Courier Story	Game 2 & 3 Courier Story

05/03/03: Montgomery 3 - Harker Heights 2 (8-innings)

The Montgomery Bears edged the Harker Heights Knights, 3-2, in an extra inning affair. The win gives the Bears a sweep, of the first round series. The 7th state-ranked Bears (23-4) advance to player Oak Ridge, in the 2nd round of the playoffs. The Bears picked up their 23rd victory, of the season, which sets a new school record.

Trey Schurr (8-2) started on the mound for the Bears, as he went 5-2/3 innings, allowing just one run, on 4-hits. Soph RHP, James Schroeder (3-0) picked up the win, in relief, as he went 2-2/3 innings, allowing 2-hits and one unearned run.

Freshman, Michael Heard had a clutch 2-out, 2-RBI single, to give the Bears a 2-0 lead, in the 5th inning. Shan Sullivan drove in the go-ahead run, in the 8th inning, with another 2-out single. Drew Tucker, Dustin McCandless (soph) and Cory Spaugh (soph) added hits for the Bears. Big hits by the soph's and the freshman, along with a soph getting the win. The young underclassmen stepped it up a notch, today.

There was a freak injury, to a Harker Heights player, during a run-down, in the bottom of the 8th inning. He was taken off the field, on a stretcher and left by an ambulance. Our prayers are with him and his family.


Shan Sullivan drove in the game-winning and series-clinching run, with a single to right field in the 8th inning Saturday.	Drew Tucker goes up high, for an errant throw, as Harker Height's Jack Noyes collides with him. Noyes is in intensive care, at the local hospital.
Conroe Courier Story	Killeen Daily News Story

05/02/03: Montgomery 6 - Harker Heights 2 Bears Win! Bears Win!

The Montgomery Bears took the opening game, of the first round playoff series, against Harker Heights, by a score of 6-2.

Casey Springer (9-1) pitched a 3-hit complete game, for the victory. Casey allowed just one earned run, while the Bears played strong defensively, in the field.

Brandon Allen had the big hit, as he launched a 3-run bomb, to give the Bears a comfortable 5-1 lead, in the 5th inning. Allen hit a curve ball, which was about 6" off the ground, over the right field wall, about 400ft. The ball landed 70ft past the outfield fence, into the softball complex. Allen, also, had an RBI double, for a total of 4-RBI.

Matt Bess had a clutch 2-out RBI single, to close out the scoring for the Bears. Michael Heard had a double, while Dustin McCandless and JJ Jensen picked up clutch hits, along the way. The Bears raised their season record to (22-4), with game #2, to be played at Harker Heights, Saturday, at 1:00pm. The game will be broadcast on TSRNSports.com

Brandon Allen (#24) is congratulated on his three-run homer by his teammates,

including Matt Yarotsky, Shan Sullivan, Drew Tucker and Cory Spaugh.

Conroe Courier Story

4/25/03: Montgomery finishes 2nd, in District 18-4A

Brenham takes the District 18-4A Championship, with a 3-0 victory, over the Montgomery Bears. It was a good high school game, with clutch plays and tough pitching. Blake Brannon (UTSA-signee) picked up the win, for the Brenham Cubs. Blake pitched the complete game shutout, as the Bears couldn't find the holes, in the Cubs defense.

Trey Schurr picked up the loss, for the Bears, as he allowed 7-hits and 3-runs. Trey has just committed to UT-Dallas, for next year. Picking up hit, for the Bears, were Brandon Allen, Matt Yarotsky, Drew Tucker, Dustin McCandless and Cory Spaugh. Brandon Allen had a .558 batting average, during District 18-4A play, while hitting a strong .425, for the season. Brandon had 10-RBI, during the district season.

Senior second baseman Drew Tucker is a standout

defensive player and leads off for the Bears.

Shan Sullivan, who had a clutch two-RBI hit in the sixth inning, tracks down a ball behind 2B.

Conroe Courier Story

Michael Heard, who threw a runner out at the plate from right field

in the 3rd inning, picked up the save against Lamar, pitching the bottom

of the 7th inning and allowing no hits, while striking out two.

Conroe Courier Story

	Head Coach Clint Heard is in his 9th year, as the Varsity head coach, at Montgomery High School. Coach Heard graduated from Texas A&M, where he was a captain on the baseball team. Coach Heard has led the Bears to the playoffs, in six of the last eight seasons, while setting a record, in 2003, for the most victories, in a season.
	Coach Chris Morris is in his 7th year, at Montgomery High School. Coach Morris is the Assistant Coach, for the varsity squad, while working with the outfielders and hitters. Coach Morris graduated form Abilene Christian College, where he was a stand-out outfielder, on the baseball team.
	Coach Troy Brock is in his 2nd year, at Montgomery High School. Coach Brock is the head coach, for the JV squad, while assisting Coach Heard and Coach Morris, on Tuesday games. Previously, Coach Brock was the assistant coach, for the varsity squad, at Huntsville. Montgomery players and parents are extremely lucky to have another fine baseball mind, on the coaching staff.
	Coach Curt King is in his 5th year, at Montgomery High School. Coach King is the head coach, for the Sophomore squad. Previously, Coach King was a head baseball coach, at another Texas high school. Coach King is another of the fine coaches, who call Montgomery home.

2004 18-4A District Standings
Montgomery	10 - 0
Brenham	6 - 4
Lamar Consolidated	6 - 4
Foster	4 - 6
Terry	3 - 7
Waller	1 - 9