Rubber matches are always exciting, and Game 3 of the Bi-District series between Lake Highlands and Rowlett was no different.

After dropping Game 2 on Friday at Rowlett High School, the ‘Cats returned home for Game 3 with an opportunity to close out the series in front of another packed house.

So far, the series has been defined by late inning heroics for both teams.

The ‘Cats took Game 1 in dramatic fashion with clutch hitting, as did Rowlett in Game 2. However, Game 3 came down to pitching, and for the ‘Cats, senior Byron Burns threw the best game of his career.

Burns dominated the Eagles, allowing only 1 hit and picked up a complete game shutout with the help of a strong defensive performance from his teammates.

Burns also had plenty of run support, with the Wildcats having their best game of the series at the plate, scoring four runs on eight hits.

Stellar defensive play was key to the 'Cats shutout win. Like Game 1 of the series, the ‘Cats committed no errors in the game and now have only one error in their last five games.

The big push in Game 3 came in the bottom of the third inning, where Coach Higgins squad put three runs on the board.

Senior Cameron Bodell got things going with a nice single. Then, perhaps fearing yet another home run in the series by junior Blake Woodson, the Eagles intentionally walked the ‘Cats power hitter.

With two men on, freshman Michael Ketchmark made the Eagles pay with an RBI double. Woodson scored the second run of the inning from third base on a wild pitch, and then the ‘Cats went up 3-0 after senior Judson Luther brought Ketchmark home with an RBI single.

The ‘Cats scored their fourth and final run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. While senior Ryan Browder registered the RBI, it came after some impressive base running by junior David Bloodworth.

Bloodworth got on base after smashing a beautiful double down the left field line and outraced the throw to second, where he was called safe.