Casey Jackson Bridge City player picked for All-Star team

To the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” Bridge City Cardinal catcher Casey Jackson picked up his diploma Friday but the season is not over yet for the three year starter and two-time Class 3A All-State catcher.

Jackson has one more game to go.

He will be representing the Cardinals in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches All-Star Baseball Game in Round Rock, Saturday.

Jackson follows in the foot steps of  former Cardinals Hunter Hays, Kevin Angelle and Johnny Dishon as the fourth Bridge City player in a row to be named to the Texas All-Star team.

“It’s an honor to be chosen,” Jackson said, “And I think it will be a great experience.” Jackson’s last game as a Cardinal though opens the door to bigger and better things.

Wednseday, he signed with Midland College extending his baseball career as a “Chap.” Midland is chaparral and prairie dog country in far West Texas a long way from Cardinal Field.

Jackson was surrounded by family with Cardinal head baseball coach Billy Bryant for ceremonies in the Bridge City High School library Friday.

Jackson practically grew up in the Cardinal dugout playing for Bryant as a freshman through his entire high school career that carried him to two UIL State Baseball Tournaments in 2005 and 2006 and the Region III Final series in 2007.

“I remember when I was the youngest kid in the dugout,” Jackson said.

He had just turned 15 years old the first trip to state and celebrated his 16th birthday the day before the state tournament in 2006.

His senior year the 2008 Cardinals advanced to the Region III quarterfinals before falling to the defending state champion Jasper Bulldogs.

Jackson began his sophomore year making a big statement at the plate for Big Red.

He led the team in home runs the next two seasons.

As a senior Jackson finished his Cardinal campaign batting .426 with eight home runs, 40 RBI, and 38 walks as pitchers avoided throwing to the powerful Bridge City senior.

Friday night the Cardinal baseball team graduated three seniors.

Along with Jackson, left fielder and pitcher Jaden Dillon and right fielder and pitcher Jason Clark also picked up diplomas in the glow of Larry Ward Stadium.

Jackson will take the field as an All-Star at Dell Diamond in Round Rock where he played as a Cardinal in the 2006 UIL State Baseball Tournament.

Game time is noon.