L-E edges Gilmer, 2-1

TEXARKANA, Texas — It was close until the end in the Liberty-Eylau home opener.

The Leopards (7-2-2, 1-0) edged the Gilmer Buckeyes, 2-1, Tuesday night at H.E. Markham Field in a District 15-4A game.

“Well, it’s always good to start district out 1-0,” Liberty-Eylau head coach Zach Fowler said. “The goal is to win district. We have to play everyone three times, so we need to beat everyone 2 out of 3 times this season to lock that series up. I’m glad we have the first one.

Gage Bellati started on the hill for the Leopards, pitched a complete game, struck out nine batters and gave up one run.

“All of our underclassmen stepped up tonight,” Fowler said. “They played really well over the weekend in our tournament and it just carried over to tonight. They just keep getting better in practice and focus. I’m glad they showed up when the bright lights were on them.”

It was a pitching duel until the bottom of the third inning.

The Leopards were able to open the scoring against the Buckeyes when Nate Moore scored on a Gilmer wild pitch. Moore went 1 for 3 with a run scored for L-E.

Tyler Watkins started on the bump for Gilmer. Watkins went six nnings, struck out seven batters and gave up four hits.

Hunter Wynne tied the game for Gilmer on Aaron Stanley’s sacrifice fly ball to first base in the top of the sixth inning.

Braylon Blair drove in Krayson Battle in the bottom of the sixth inning, giving the Leopards a one run edge, 2-1. Blair went 1 for 3 at the dish with a RBI.

“We have another tournament this weekend, so we want to get our arms right,” Fowler said. “We’re going to use this stretch to develop some depth within our group.We’re going to see a lot of guys play this weekend.”