Leopards edge Brownsboro by single run to advance

MARSHALL, Texas — Two close games, one big step.

Liberty-eylau edged Brownsboro by a single run, 5-4, Saturday and it followed the Leopards’ 3-2 win on Friday. It added up to a series-clinching two games to none in the Class 4A regional quarterfinal baseball playoffs.

The Leopards (28-6) advance to next week’s regional semifinals against Aubrey (17-9), which eliminated Van Alstyne in two games. It will be a best-of-three series, but no times, dates or sights have been selected as of Saturday evening.

“This will be three years in a row we have made it to the fourth round or better and that is a testament to the entire program and community,” said Liberty-eylau coach Zach Fowler. “We have tough players and we are showing it each and every week.”

The “Cardiac Kids” as the Leopards are being called, played solid baseball against Brownsboro (23-9) at Marshall’s Maverick Field.

“This series was a tough one. That group that Brownsboro had was a veteran group that was very talented,” Fowler said. “We knew we had to play well to beat them and luckily we were able to make enough plays to win.”

The Leopard pitching staff again proved to be a difference in the series. WT Jones pitched a complete-game victory against the Bears in the series opener and Cal Jones went the distance and notched the victory on the hill. He allowed four runs (only three earned) on seven hits, including three doubles. He struck out five and walked one.

“Both Jones boys pitched great in games 1 and 2 to put us in position, and we had different position players step up big in each game,” coach Fowler said. “We are proud of the kids and the program. “

Liberty-eylau had six hits against three Bear pitchers. Cal Jones, batting leadoff, belted a pair of doubles and knocked in two runs. He also scored a run.

Dylan Garton also ripped a double, Collin Evans had a single and scored a run, Triston Haugh had a hit and scored a run, and WT Jones added a single. WT Jones also stole a base.

Payton Stephenson and Cooper Schock had two hits, with Schock driving in two runs.