The District 19-2A-opener didn’t start the way the third-ranked Elkhart baseball team expected it to.
The Elks found themselves down 4-0 to visiting Garrison after four innings in the district opener Tuesday, but showed why they made the trip to Round Rock for the state tournament a season ago.
Elkhart plated three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to earn a 5-4, come-from-behind win at The Backyard.
Elkhart finally got on the board after Hunter Parker reached on an error in the fifth, and was joined on the bases by Brian Johnson, who singled.
Then, the scalding-hot Jacob Cheatham — who earlier this week was named the Swingbuilder Hitter of the Week for Class 2A — plated both Parker and Johnson with a two-run single to cut the Garrison lead in half. Cheatham then came around to score on a fielder’s choice hit by Jordan White to make it 4-3.
Parker relieved Jordan White on the mound to begin the sixth, and in his two innings of work allowed only one baserunner, which came via a walk.
In the sixth, freshman Jackson Adair began the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Alex Flores.
Adair then moved to third on a single by Parker, setting up Cole Bridges for what proved to be the game-winning hit.
Bridges hit a single that scored both Adair and Parker to give Elkhart the 5-4 cushion it would finish the game with.
Elkhart (11-2, 1-0) opens play at 10 a.m. today in Canton at the I-20 Classic.
H.S. SOFTBALL
PALESTINE 9, Normangee 6
In the first seven innings of Tuesday’s game between the Palestine and Normangee softball teams, the two squads combined for six runs.
In the eighth, Palestine plated that many by itself.
The Ladycats outlasted Normangee, 9-6, in eight innings on the road Tuesday, scoring six extra-inning runs and then holding on for the victory.
Both Gabby Hudson and Nicole Thompson had three hits for Palestine, while Maribel Estrada had two and Amber Magee drove in a team-high two runs.
Liz Cone got the win inside the circle for the Ladycats, going all eight innings and striking out six for the victory.
Palestine hosts College Station Friday, with first pitch set for 6 p.m.
YMCA LATE REGISTRATION STILL OPEN
Normal registration for the 2013 Palestine YMCA baseball and softball seasons has ended, but the opportunity to sign-up to play is still available.
Late registration will be open until March 15, costing $50 for Y members and $60 for non-members.
The leagues are open to children ages 4 to 12, with age determined by how old the child will be on April 30 for baseball, and how old they were on Jan. 1 for softball.
This year, the Y is partnering with the Texas Teen-Age program, and the Y teams will participate in both the East Texas Fast Pitch and Elkhart Summer leagues.
For more information, contact Chad Cox at 903-729-3139, or visit www.palestineymca.org.
Local Sports
Local Roundup: Parker, Elks get comeback win Tuesday
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H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart eases past Warren in Game 2
After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
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H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Harleton shuts down Cayuga in regional quarterfinal
In an as-expected pitcher’s duel, it took only one off inning to cost Cayuga and ace Chantz Holland.
Holland gave up four hits and hit a batter in the top of the third inning, and Harleton turned that into four runs — the only runs of the game — as Harleton topped Cayuga, 4-0, here at the Lindale ISD Baseball and Softball Complex in regional quarterfinal action. -
H.S. Baseball: Patchwork lineup still working for Cayuga
The Cayuga baseball team that will take the field tonight against Harleton in the regional quarterfinals doesn’t look a lot like the Cayuga team that rolled through district play earlier this season.
Injuries have hampered the look of the Wildcat lineup, but Cayuga still finds itself into the playoffs’ third round for yet another season. -
H.S. Softball: Grapeland going strong into regional semifinals
It’s been relatively easy-going so far in the state softball playoffs for the Grapeland softball team.
The Sandiettes have lost only once so far in the playoffs, and that came thanks a forfeit in the area round against Avery, when Grapeland decided not to play rather than play without missing members at the state golf tournament. -
Local Roundup: Cayuga's Hughes named 19-A MVP
After a stellar regular season that saw them capture a district title, then a solid playoff run that ended with a regional quarterfinal loss to Grapeland, the Cayuga softball team showed well on the District 19-A all-district teams.
Cayuga star freshman pitcher Kimberly Hughes capped her stellar year by earning the district’s Most Valuable Player award. Joining Hughes in earning superlative honors was her battery-mate Maci Poland, who was named the league’s Defensive MVP. -
H.S. Golf State Tournament: Grapeland looks to cap impressive season with title
It’s the course on which legendary PGA player Ben Crenshaw — winner of two Master’s Green Jackets — learned the game as a young man.
It’s where legendary Austin-based golf coach Harvey Penick molded players like Crenshaw and Tom Kite into stalwarts on the professional tours.
A year ago, Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin was the place where, despite improving by 20 strokes as a team on Day 2, the Grapeland girls’ golf team fell short of state title, instead finishing second — for the second-straight season. -
H.S. Baseball: Palestine, Elkhart open playoffs Thursday
After a seven-year absence from postseason play that ended last year, the Palestine baseball team opens up its second-straight playoff campaign Tuesday.
The Wildcats, who captured District 19-3A’s second seed with a defeat of Fairfield Friday, will open the postseason again Diboll in a best-of-three series. - More Local Sports Headlines
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H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
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