BURTON LOSE GAME 1 OF STATE SEMI-FINAL

The Burton Panthers faced off against the Overton Panthers in game 1 of a best of 3 series in Huntsville at Sam Houston State University for the Texas State Semi-Final. The game was won by the Mustangs in a back and forth contest that saw a late rally attempt fall just short for the Panthers as they lost 8-5.

The game started off with immediate offense as Overton started the top of the 1st inning scoring 2 runs off of a walk, a single and a Burton error. The Panthers quickly responded with a run of their own as Logun Tosta got on base with a double and was able to score off of an Overton error.

After each team had a 3-up 3-down inning in the 2nd, the scoring continued in the bottom of the 2rd, this time with Burton taking the lead. After a lead off single for Tyler Witt and walk for Logun Tosta, Ryder Biggs cleared the bases with a line drive to left field that turned into a 2 RBI triple. Biggs then came in to score on a sacrifice flyball by Ruben Rodriguez giving Burton a 4-2 lead going into the 4th where a 2 RBI double for the Mustangs tied the game at 4 before an RBI single gave them the lead 5-4.

After Eli Jaeger and the defense left runners stranded on 2nd and 3rd base to start the 5th inning, the Burton Panthers found themselves down by 1 run again. They came out ready to respond, as Ryder Biggs led off the bottom of the inning with a single, and he was driven in by a clutch RBI double from Braydon Martin with 2 outs to tie the game back up for the Panthers heading into the 6th inning.

To lead things off in the 6th, Overton took the momentum from Burton with a lead off double that led to a pitching change with Ruben Rodriguez coming in. But Overton capitalized on their opportunities and were able to score 3 runs before the Panthers left 2 Overton runners on base, sending the game to the bottom of the 6th down 8-5.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Panthers worked themselves into a bases loaded situation with no outs after a Ryder Biggs lead off double and consecutive walks for Ruben Rodriguez and Eli Jaeger. Unfortunately, they were not able to capitalize, and after 2 pop ups for outs the game ended on a foul ball that was caught by the Overton catcher right at the back net to leave the bases loaded and give them the game 1 win 8-5.

Game 2 will be played Thursday at 4:00p in Sam Houston State University with KWHI pregame coverage beginning at 3:30p and Game 3 30 minutes after the conclusion of game 3 if necessary. Tickets can be purchased at the gate via credit or debit card only. Make sure to follow all the action by tuning in to KWHI AM1280, FM101.7 or on the KWHI website or app.