Tigers roll into regionals

Tigers roll into regionals Brian Smith Tue, 05/14/2024 - 3:32 pm   The Jacksboro Tigers swept Blanco in the area round Saturday, May 11 in Brownwood. The Tigers will face Iowa Park this week in the regional quarterfinals. Photo/Brian Smith   Kasey Ray Swan prepares to throw a pitch during game one of the Tiger area round series against Blanco. Photo/Brian Smith A year ago, Blanco knocked the Jacksboro Tigers out of the Class 3A playoffs with a two-game sweep. The Tigers returned the favor Saturday, May 11, scoring runs in each of the last four innings, to take an 11-1, six-inning victory over the Panthers. Jacksboro will move on to face District 7-3A rival Iowa Park in the regional quarterfinals this week. The best-ofthree series begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 in Graham, before traveling Friday, May 17 to Hoskins Field in Wichita Falls at 6 p.m. If needed, a third game will be played Saturday, May 18 in Graham with a time to be determined. Game 1 Tigers 7, Panthers 0 It took some time for Jacksboro to get on the board, but once the Tigers did, there was no stopping them. The Tigers scored multiple runs in each of the last three innings to post a 7-0 win over Blanco in game one of the best-of three area round series Thursday, May 9 in Brownwood. Jacksboro threatened in the first inning, opening with singles from Kaleem Howard and Lando Belcher. Howard was forced out at third base on a fielder’s choice, which allowed Jackson Mc-Comis to get aboard. The two runners were stranded as the next two hitters were retired on a strikeout and groundout, respectively. Kasey Ray Swan allowed pairs of runners aboard in the first and second innings but then got in a groove, retiring 10 in a row at one point. Swan gave up three hits and struck out seven. The Tigers threatened again in the fourth as Swan aided his cause with a one-out single. He stole second and attempted to score on a two-out single by Tyler Mitchell but was thrown out at the plate to keep the game scoreless. A two-run Tiger fifth inning opened with Kyler Swan reaching on a second baseman error. Howard came through with his second hit of the day, a two-out infield single, to put runners at the corners. Belcher broke the scoreless deadlock with a triple to plate both runners. Belcher was stranded as a groundout to second prevented further damage. The Tigers struck again in the sixth as Cannon Valenzuela drew a one-out walk and Mitchell singled. Kyler Swan reached on a fielder’s choice, but a pair of third baseman errors enabled Valenzuela to score for a 3-0 Jacksboro lead. Hoytt Wesson’s infield single plated Mitchell to push the lead to 4-0. With runners at first and third base, Jacksboro executed the double steal perfectly to extend the lead to 5-0. A pair of groundouts ended the threat. Belcher’s third hit of the game led off the seventh inning with McComis following with an infield single. With runners at the corners again, Belcher came home on another double steal. Valenzuela singled but was forced out at second in place of Mitchell, which allowed McComis to score the game’s final run. Game 2 Tigers 11, Panthers 1 The Tigers fell behind 1-0 early, Jacksboro tied the game at one in the bottom of the third inning, Brayden Rockey opening with a walk. KaleemHowardthen laid down a bunt single which was thrown away by the third baseman, enabling Howard to reach second base. Lando Belcher’s sacrifice fly scored Rockey. Pitcher Jackson McComis drew a walk but a double play ball kept the game tied at one. Jacksboro broke the game open with a three-run fourth inning. Cannon Valenzuela opened with a oneout double and scored as a catcher’s throw to retire him at third was off the mark, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Tyler Mitchell reached on an error and stole second. Kyler Swan drew a walk but was forced out at second in place of Rockey. Jacksboro continued to take advantage of errors as a third baseman’s error enabled Mitchell to score with Rockey coming home on a wild pitch for a 4-1 lead. A Wyatt Gavit single and two-out walks to Mitchell and Swan loaded the bases in the fifth inning. Rockey’s single plated Gavit and Mitchell to extend the lead to 6-1. Belcher opened a five-run sixth inning with a single. Gavit and Kasey Swan were hit by pitches to load the bases with one out. An error brought home two runs and allowed Valenzuela aboard. Kasey Swan and Valenzuela executed the double steal to perfection to extend the lead to 9-1. A pitcher’s balk plated Valenzuela. Mitchell, who reached on a shortstop’s error and stole second, would score after beating a throw to the plate in a rundown to end the game on mercy rule.