BURTON SWEEPS SHINER TO WIN 2A REGIONAL FINAL

On Thursday the Burton Panthers traveled to Bastrop to take on the Shiner Comanches for a double header in a best of 3 series that would decide the 2A Regional Final. The series ended with the Burton Panthers sweeping the #1 ranked Shiner Comanches and punching their ticket to the State Semi-Final against Overton next week.

In game 1 the Burton Panthers carried over their momentum from last series and continued to have hot bats at the plate. They began the top of the 1st inning with a lead off single for Tyler Witt who then scored on an RBI single from Ryder Biggs for a quick 1-0 lead going into the 2nd. They kept it going in the 2nd with a double by Senior Brady Griffin who was able to score on an error at shortstop forced by Matt Roemer. Shiner would then get a lead off single in the bottom of the second that scored on an RBI double before some solid defense left that runner stranded at 3rd.

In the 3rd inning Shiner was threatening with a runner on 3rd, but a pivotal play by CF Ruben Rodriguez and C Braydon Martin where the runner was thrown out at home kept momentum on their side. From there the Panthers never relinquished the lead leaning on strong performances by Eli Jaeger on the mound and a defense that had only 1 error. The Burton Panthers cruised to a game 1 victory by a score of 4-1 after 2 insurance runs by Braydon Martin and Brady Griffin in the 4th. 

Game 1 

Pitching 

Eli Jaeger: 7 IP / 3 Ks / 5 Hs / BB / HBP on 75 pitches

Batting 

Brady Griffin: 1-2 / 2B / 2 Rs / HBP

Ryder Biggs: 1-3 / 1B / RBI 

Matt Roemer: 1-3 / 1B / 3 RBIs

After the big win for Burton, it was time for the second game of the double header. Game 2 was a true pitchers duel that looked to be going the way of the Shiner Comanches heading into the top of the 4th inning tied at 1 apiece as they were riding a no-hitter with the Panthers taking advantage of 2 errors and a walk for their only run.

With one runner down in the top of the 4th, the weather turned for the worse and the game was sent into a lightning delay. This came as a blessing in disguise for the Panthers as the game changed when the delay was over.

The Panthers broke the no hitter with an RBI single by Logun Tosta that brought in a run from Issac Matthies and gave them a 2-1 lead. From there it was all on Tyler Witt and the defense and they delivered in a big way retiring 6 out of the next 8 batters and ending the game on a huge strike out by Witt that gave him his 101st on the year and erupted the Burton crowd as they swept Shiner to clinch their first regional championship since 1987 and a berth in the state semifinal. 

Game 2 

Pitching

Tyler Witt: 7 IP / 11 Ks on 110 pitches

Batting 

Logun Tosta: 1-2 / 1B / RBI

Eli Jaeger: 1-3 / 1B

Burton will take on Overton in the state semi-final. Dates and location TBD