Nazareth advances to first UIL 1A State Championship in baseball program history

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KFDA) - The No. 2 Nazareth Swifts knocked out No. 1 Ira in the Regional Final and now Kennard falls as the Swifts win a close game 1-0 over the Tigers. Nazareth wins their first ever UIL 1A baseball State Semifinal in their second State appearance in program history.

“Being here on this stage really amped me up and that’s what got me going. Oh this is everything. This was for the town really,” said Trent Gerber, Nazareth senior pitcher. “They’ve never had this before and this is just crazy. I just can’t believe it right now. Going to the ‘ship.”

Gerber, a Seward County signee, delivered 10 strikeouts and allowed 3 hits. 10 K’s ties the UIL 1A record for individual strikeouts in a single game and total for the entire State Tournament. Both record were solo owned by Shelby Noppeney from Hubbard in 2021.

“He’s the ultimate competitor and he’s the ultimate leader,” said Tyler Goodwin, Nazareth baseball first-year head coach. “He’s one of the biggest reasons why we’re playing today. Kudos to him. One heck of a career. He’s got a few pitches left, so you may be able to see him throw a few more tomorrow.”

Kennard’s Dylan Cole kept the Swifts quite with 5 strikeouts in 6 innings pitched, but he did allow 7 hits and 1 run. The lone run was scored in the first frame. Brett Young’s RBI single on bases loaded sent home Carson Heiman for the 1-0 lead.

“I mean that first run that helped us a lot of ways, you know and then after that really set the tone,” said Gerber. “Our defense was just clicking after that.”

Nazareth will face the winner of D’Hanis and Abbott in the UIL 1A State Championship on Thursday at 9 a.m. Heiman is the expected starter pitcher for the Swifts.

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