L-E edges PG to even intense season series at 1-1
TEXARKANA, Texas — Tristan Haugh slapped a two-out single into right-center to bring in Cam Gamble and lift Liberty-eylau to a 3-2 win over Pleasant Grove in a showdown between two of the best 4A baseball teams in Texas who happen to play in the same district.
An intense playoff atmosphere engulfed H. E. Markham Field on Saturday. Fans filled the stands, lined the fences, and hung on every pitch as the Leopards rallied from two runs down to even the season series with PG at one win apiece.
“This game could have gone either way,” said L-E coach Zach Fowler. “It was fun to see Texarkana come out and watch two good teams play.”
The victory leaves Pleasant Grove (16-8, 10-1) just ahead of Liberty-eylau (19-5, 9-2) with five District 15-4A games to play in the regular season. The finale will be a rubber match at PG on April 26.
Brenton Clark and Ty Boozer singled and scored in the first and second innings to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
The Leopards got one of those back in the bottom of the second on a disputed call. Eli Jarvis led off with a walk and moved to second when Maddax Moore was hit by a pitch. He went to third on a 6-4-3 double play.
Gamble hit a slow grounder deep behind the bag, but Jarret Halter looked to have thrown him out by half a step. The umpire called Gamble safe.
The Hawks gave the Leopards a hand when an outfield error put Zydon Banks on first. He scored when W.T. Jones hit a single to right and the throw to third to try to get Banks went awry.
“Give L-E credit,” said PG coach Riley Fincher. “They made a couple of plays, and we didn’t.”
Pleasant Grove hosts Sulphur Springs on Tuesday and travels to North Lamar on Friday. The Leopards will host North Lamar and Pittsburg.