Leopards cool off, tie Atlanta 1-1 in Texas High Classic

TEXARKANA, Texas — Despite the cold temperatures on Thursday and Friday, Liberty-eylau’s baseball team stayed hot, rolling up three lopsided victories in the Texas High Classic tournament.

The Leopards went on a 37-4 scoring rampage that saw them dispose of Hooks, 15-0, and two Class 5A teams, Longview, 12-3, and the host Tigers, 10-1.

Saturday was a different story. First, the temperature climbed into the low 70s on a mostly sunny day.

Second, the streaking Leopards cooled off and battled Atlanta to a 1-1 tie in a game halted by the time limit after 6 innings.

“I thought that we pitched well and we were able to get some traffic on the bases,” said Liberty-eylau coach Zach Fowler.

“We just never came up with that big hit and Atlanta did a great job of making us earn everything. They were well-coached and executed well. Hats off to them on a great game.”

The Leopards (7-3-1) and Rabbits (1-7) had 4 hits apiece and both stranded several runners, L-E leaving 9 on base and the Rabbs 7.

Liberty-eylau scored its run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Will Tipton’s sacrifice scored courtesy runner Ziven Banks. It was Tipton’s second sacrifice of the game.

Gabe Jarvis had two hits to top the Leopards and Eli Jarvis and Britain Pipes added singles.

Designated hitter Easton Owens had 2 hits and drove in Atlanta’s run in the sixth inning. Owens knocked in Peyton Harrison, who had singled.

Jayden Riley had the other Rabbs’ hit, a single.

Liberty-eylau starting pitcher Triston Haugh went 5 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 2.

Pipes surrendered an unearned run on a hit in his inning of relief.

Atlanta’s Eli Dryden allowed an earned run on 4 hits

in 4 innings on the mound. He walked 4.

Eli Stevens was touched for 4 hits in 2 scoreless innings.

The Leopards will compete in the Hallsville tournament that begins Thursday. The Rabbs will travel Tuesday to Queen City to face the Bulldogs.

HOOKS 6, LONGVIEW 2

The Hornets ended a twogame losing skid to beat the Lobos.

Hooks (4-5) scored all of its runs — only 2 were earned — in the second inning.

The Hornets managed only 2 hits, but they were aided by three Longview errors.

Shortstop Ripken Birdwell plated 2 runs with a single, Jasper Crain had the Hornets’ other hit, also a single.

Bentley Powell picked up the pitching win, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in 3 2/3 innings on the hill.

Crain tossed a scoreless 1

1/3 innings of relief.

The Hornets will host Paul Pewitt at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

It is the District 14-3A opener for both teams.