Strong family ties spark Leopards
Liberty-eylau to battle Celina in one-game regional final
TEXARKANA, Texas — When you look for multigenerational baseball talent, sometimes it’s just a matter of pedigree.
To put it bluntly, if the father was successful in baseball, then his son or sons also may shine on the diamond.
And that appears to be the case for this year’s Liberty-eylau baseball team, which has rolled up a 30-6 record and will be playing in Friday’s Class 4A regional finals against Celina (35-4). It’s a one-game playoff set for a 7 p.m. start at North Lamar High School’s field in Paris.
A trip to the state tournament rides on the one-game showdown.
“I won the coin flip and we wanted to play a one-game series rather than a best-of-three series because of the pitching depth Celina has,” said Leopard head baseball coach Zach Fowler. “They’re loaded with seniors this year and I think they only lost a catcher and a pitcher off last year’s team that played in the state tournament.”
Celina, which eliminated Pleasant Grove in two games in last week’s regional semifinals (5-3, 7-1), lost to eventual state champion Sinton in the 2022 state semifinals, 9-0.
And going back to pedigree, coach Fowler validates the adage, “like father, like son.”
Fowler played on the Leopard team that won the 2006 state baseball championship. Liberty-eylau defeated Falfurrias, 2-1, in the 2006 state final behind Fowler, who was named the game’s most valuable player. Fowler was the winning pitcher and went 2-for-2 at the plate. His teammate, Will Middlebrooks, had two hits, including a double. Both made the all-state tournament team.
Middlebrooks went on to play for the Boston Red Sox in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals and former Pleasant Grove standout Michael Wacha. Wacha is still playing in the Majors and he now pitches for the San Diego Padres.
The Leopards made a return to the state tournament the next year,
but lost to Jasper, 14-4, in the state final. Fowler was the losing pitcher and he again had two hits.
His teammate, Ricky Rushing, on those state tournament teams is now an assistant on Fowler’s coaching staff. Rushing banged out five hits, drove in two runs and scored four runs in two state tourney games in 2007.
Incidentally, those elite Leopard teams were both coached by Zach’s father, Rick Fowler. L-E finished with a 31-6 record in 2007, which remains a school record for wins in a single season.
“We’re just within one game of tying the school record of 31 victories,” Zach Fowler said. “It would be great to pick up our 31st win and also advance to the state tournament.”
Rick Fowler is an assistant coach on his son’s team.
One doesn’t have to look hard to find the Leopards other pedigree. Brothers Cal Jones and W.T. Jones, have played outstanding baseball for L-E on the mound and at shortstop.
Cal, one of only four seniors on L-E’S roster, is 10-1 with a 2.52 earned run average and W.T., a junior, is 10-2 with a 2.48 ERA on the hill this season. W.T. has struck out 105 batters and Cal has fanned 77.
Cal is also the team’s leading hitter with a .429 average.
Keeping up with the Leopards has been like keeping up with the Joneses.
And their pedigree goes back to their father, Craig Jones, a former Pleasant Grove coach who guided the Hawks to two state baseball championships and four state tournament appearances.
“All of our assistant coaches have done well this season, but it’s the kids who deserve most of the attention because of all the hard work and practices they’ve put it,” Fowler said.
The Leopards third pitcher has been senior Richie Plant (6-0, 2.57 ERA).
L-E’S other starters include catcher Dylan Garton (.400 batting average), first baseman Dylan Nabors (.315), second baseman Triston Haugh (.337), Cal or W.T. Jones (whoever is not pitching) at shortstop and third baseman Britain Pipes (.398).
The outfield consists of Collin Evans (.353) in left, Aydan Easter (.267) in center and Hagen Power (.333) in right.
Maddax Moore (.344) and Gabe Jarvis (.167) have served time being designated hitters and Zivan Banks, Jaden Davis and Triston Berry have been courtesy runners.
Liberty-eylau is making its second trip to the regional finals in three years. The Leopards lost to Pleasant Grove in two straight in 2021.
“It’s been a fun season and it’s especially gratifying when you’re just three wins away from a state title,” Zach Fowler said.
“Our players and coaches have been through plenty of wars this year, and we’ve learned what it takes to win in the playoffs.
“We hope we can continue winning at least for one more week.”
Other finals match Sinton (35-2) vs. Boerne (34-5) in Region 4; Randall (36-3) vs. Stephenville (27-11-1) in Region 3; and China Spring (33-4-1) vs. Taylor (30-3-1) in Region 1.
The Class 4A state semifinals will be played at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday and the state championship game at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. All 4A games will be played at Texas’ Disch-falk Field in Austin.