LUFKIN —
With their backs against the wall, the Elkhart Elks were able to bounce back from a 16-6 loss in Game 2 of their best-of-three series against the Crockett Bulldogs, and pick up a 7-2 win in the decisive Game 3. Levi Smith smashed a three-run last over the left field wall, and Jacob Cheatham pitched 5.2 solid innings to lead Elkhart to the series clinching win.
The Elks found themselves in an early hole in Game 2, with Crockett pushing three runs across the plate in the first inning. Elkhart scored in both the second and third innings, cutting the deficit to one before Crockett blew the game wide open in the fourth inning.
The Bulldogs pushed seven runs across the plate with the first five batters reaching base and scoring to help give Crockett a 10-2 lead. From there it was a sprint to the finish with Crockett holding on for a 16-6 win in six innings, forcing a game seven.
Elkhart came out firing in Game 3, plating two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead on the Bulldogs. The Elks scored first on a RBI double by Cam Reeves, plating Cole Bridges. Reeves eventually came around to score on a single by Smith, one of four RBI for the sophomore catcher.
The Elks struck again in the fourth inning, pushing five runs across the plate, three of which came off of Smith's blast that bounced off the left field scoreboard. Crockett scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but was held scoreless over the remainder of the game due to the efforts of Cheatham and Reeves.
Along with the solid pitching, the Elks were able to work their way out of trouble on multiple occasions. Twice in Game 3 the Bulldogs left the bases loaded, as Cheatham managed to pitch out of trouble.
In the finale, Cheatham went 5.2 innings, giving up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Reeves pitched the final 1.1 innings, holding the Bulldogs scoreless and hitless.
Smith led the Elks offensively, going 3-5 in the finale with five RBI and a run scored. Smith was the only Elk with more than one hit at the plate.
Crockett was paced by Matthew Schaeffer, who reached base four times on the day, all of them after being hit by a pitch. In Game 2, seniors Zack Stone and J.J. McPherson combined to go 4-8 with six RBI.
The Elks now advance to the Region III Semifinals to face Queen City. Queen City defeated #3 Hughes Springs in three games, winning the final game 12-4. Information on the Semifinal matchup was unavailable as of press time.
Local Sports
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elks pushed to brink, win in Game 3
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Palestine's Owens picks TCU
A whirlwind recruitment came to a resolution for Palestine star Jarrell Owens Tuesday.
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H.S. Baseball: Elkhart's Smith stellar at all-star weekend
By all accounts, former Elkhart baseball standout Levi Smith had a stellar weekend.
The former Elks’ catcher spent it in Round Rock, participating in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA) all-star weekend.
He played in the 1A-3A all-star Saturday, batting in the clean-up spot for his team. But, it was the show he put on Friday that probably turned the most heads. -
Tennis: Palestine-native Ybarra captures East Texas Open title
In terms of his tennis, the last year had been a rough one for Palestine-native Ryan Ybarra.
After transferring from Texas Tech to UT-Tyler, Ybarra had seen his season come to a rough end thanks to a foot injury, and led him to wonder about his future in the sport.
In his own words, Ybarra was “burnt out.” -
H.S. Football: 5 local players to play in Saturday's FCA bowl
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Five local players were among the almost 100 chosen to play in the game, which honors the best high school seniors from a 25-county area in Northeast Texas. -
H.S. Football: Palestine OL Thlang commits to ULM
The first of the area’s Class of 2014 football recruits has made a commitment.
Palestine offensive lineman Brian Thlang committed to the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Wednesday, days after attending the Warhawks camp with teammate Ben Luckett.
Thlang said he was won over at the camp with the ULM coaching staff. -
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In an effort to combat injuries, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) approved a limit on how much full contact can be made weekly during high school and middle school football practices.
The UIL, which governs athletics in Texas, approved a measure limiting contact to 90 minutes per week at a meeting on Tuesday. But, full contact is deemed to be “game-speed tackling and blocking to the ground.” -
H.S. Football: TCU latest to offer Palestine's Jarrell Owens
Palestine star senior-to-be Jarrell Owens picked up his fourth college offer on Tuesday, his second from a BCS school.
TCU offered the Class of 2014 linebacker/defensive end, joining Texas Tech as the two Big 12 schools currently courting Owens. -
H.S. Baseball: Trio of locals named to THSBCA all-state teams
Three local players were named some the state’s best baseball players Monday by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA).
Elkhart teammates Levi Smith (catcher) and Jacob Cheatham (third base) were both named first team players on the Class 2A team, while Cayuga pitcher Chantz Holland was named a first teamer in Class 1A. -
Sports Briefs: Week of 6/3/13
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H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens picks up third college offer
Palestine senior-to-be Jarrell Owens picked up his third college offer Monday morning.
The Wildcat running back and linebacker can add Texas State to his list of confirmed suitors after the Bobcats extended an official scholarship offer Monday. - More Local Sports Headlines
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