SintonFan_inAustin
06-05-2007, 09:11 AM
Leopards prowling for repeat
Defending champs will face Sinton in 3A state semifinals
By Javier Becerra (Contact)
Originally published 01:00 a.m., June 5, 2007
Updated 03:33 a.m., June 5, 2007
exarkana Liberty-Eylau made the most of its first appearance at the University Interscholastic League state baseball tournament by capturing the Class 3A championship last year.
Now the Leopards are back for more.
Bolstered by the return of four starters, Liberty-Eylau (30-5) is out to defend its title after reaching the final four for the second straight season. As the Leopards prepare for Wednesday's semifinal against Sinton (29-5-1) at The Dell Diamond in Round Rock, longtime coach Rick Fowler said the team didn't do anything special to get there.
"They just went out and played good baseball," said Fowler, in his 24th year at the helm. "It's not rocket science. We had two good pitchers on the hill, and the offense got the crucial hits when we needed them."
That's evident by the way Liberty-Eylau tore through the playoffs after earning a first-round bye as the District 16-3A champions.
The Leopards dispatched Crandall 6-2 and 12-2 in the area round to set up a regional quarterfinal matchup against Athens. Liberty-Eylau swept the Hornets 4-1 and 10-0, victories that propelled the team to a convincing sweep of Commerce (13-0, 6-0) in the regional semifinals.
Playing against Celina for the Region III championship, the Leopards posted 2-0 and 7-1 victories to secure a spot at the state tournament.
It helped to have a good nucleus to work with.
Zach Fowler, A.C. Hollins, Clay Jeffirs and Will Middlebrooks were starters when Liberty-Eylau beat Falfurrias 2-1 in last year's championship game. All four are back in the starting lineup, while the other five spots were filled by returning lettermen.
This season, Fowler and Middlebrooks have made the most impact -- mostly with their arms.
The seniors are a combined 26-1, with the right-handed Middlebrooks, who signed with Texas A&M, undefeated at 13-0. A left-hander, Fowler is 13-1 after going 6-2 a year ago, including the win against Falfurrias.
Fowler the coach isn't sure which pitcher to start on Wednesday, but Gene Kasprzyk knows both are capable of doing the job.
"Those guys are the heart and soul of their team," the longtime Sinton coach said. "They really make the team go."
Fowler expects the Pirates to be ready to play, but doesn't expect the Leopards to go down without a fight.
"They're excited about getting to go back and I'm sure Sinton is excited about it, too," he said. "When you're one of the top four teams in the state, you have to be proud of an accomplishment like that. We just don't want to say we were there. I don't see any reason why we can't win it again"
Contact Javier Becerra at 886-3734 or becerraj@caller.com
Defending champs will face Sinton in 3A state semifinals
By Javier Becerra (Contact)
Originally published 01:00 a.m., June 5, 2007
Updated 03:33 a.m., June 5, 2007
exarkana Liberty-Eylau made the most of its first appearance at the University Interscholastic League state baseball tournament by capturing the Class 3A championship last year.
Now the Leopards are back for more.
Bolstered by the return of four starters, Liberty-Eylau (30-5) is out to defend its title after reaching the final four for the second straight season. As the Leopards prepare for Wednesday's semifinal against Sinton (29-5-1) at The Dell Diamond in Round Rock, longtime coach Rick Fowler said the team didn't do anything special to get there.
"They just went out and played good baseball," said Fowler, in his 24th year at the helm. "It's not rocket science. We had two good pitchers on the hill, and the offense got the crucial hits when we needed them."
That's evident by the way Liberty-Eylau tore through the playoffs after earning a first-round bye as the District 16-3A champions.
The Leopards dispatched Crandall 6-2 and 12-2 in the area round to set up a regional quarterfinal matchup against Athens. Liberty-Eylau swept the Hornets 4-1 and 10-0, victories that propelled the team to a convincing sweep of Commerce (13-0, 6-0) in the regional semifinals.
Playing against Celina for the Region III championship, the Leopards posted 2-0 and 7-1 victories to secure a spot at the state tournament.
It helped to have a good nucleus to work with.
Zach Fowler, A.C. Hollins, Clay Jeffirs and Will Middlebrooks were starters when Liberty-Eylau beat Falfurrias 2-1 in last year's championship game. All four are back in the starting lineup, while the other five spots were filled by returning lettermen.
This season, Fowler and Middlebrooks have made the most impact -- mostly with their arms.
The seniors are a combined 26-1, with the right-handed Middlebrooks, who signed with Texas A&M, undefeated at 13-0. A left-hander, Fowler is 13-1 after going 6-2 a year ago, including the win against Falfurrias.
Fowler the coach isn't sure which pitcher to start on Wednesday, but Gene Kasprzyk knows both are capable of doing the job.
"Those guys are the heart and soul of their team," the longtime Sinton coach said. "They really make the team go."
Fowler expects the Pirates to be ready to play, but doesn't expect the Leopards to go down without a fight.
"They're excited about getting to go back and I'm sure Sinton is excited about it, too," he said. "When you're one of the top four teams in the state, you have to be proud of an accomplishment like that. We just don't want to say we were there. I don't see any reason why we can't win it again"
Contact Javier Becerra at 886-3734 or becerraj@caller.com