Lions earn Bi-District championship with victory against the Avery Bulldogs, 10-2

Lions earn Bi-District championship with victory against the Avery Bulldogs, 10-2 Image

• Dylan Teel (35) weighs his options on the basepaths during recent action. Teel batted 3/4, recorded two RBIs, and scored a run in the Lions' 10-2 Bi-District playoff victory against Avery Saturday. Photo by DJ Spencer

Dj Spencer Sports Editor Tue, 05/07/2024 - 19:46 Subhead

Stillwagoner and Teel rally three hits each

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ATLANTA — The Saltillo Lions captured a Bi-District championship Saturday following a 10-2 win over the Avery Bulldogs in the opening round of the playoffs at Atlanta High School. The Lions would outplay the Bulldogs all game long and never wavered, earning the win.

The Lions immediately made their presence felt with four runs in the first inning, establishing a 4-0 lead. They would then add another run in the second inning, extend in their lead to 5-0.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the top of the third inning with a run, trimming the score to 5-1. The Lions responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning, extending their lead to 7-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Bulldogs scored another run, bringing the score to 7-2. The Lions answered back with a trio of runs in the fourth inning, increasing their lead to 102.

The fifth inning would be scoreless, as both teams played well on defense. The sixth inning would be more of the same.

After the Bulldogs were held scoreless in the top of the seventh inning, the game ended, as the Lions secured a 10-2 win and a Bi-District championship.

As a team, the Lions batted 12 for 34 (.353) from the plate. Mason Stillwagoner and Dylan Teel led with three hits each. Draden Boyd and Tobin Potter tallied two hits each, while Kolbe Cook and Jordan Metcalf added one hit each.

Boyd, Potter, and Stillwagoner shared the title of leading scorer with two runs each. Cook, Grayson Gurley, Metcalf, and Teel all scored one run each.

Stillwagoner earned the win on the mound. Eathan Rees closed out the game at the end.

With the win, the Lions improved to 9-5 on the season. They also advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals, where they will take on the Union Hill Bulldogs in a best-of-three series at Paris ISD.

Game One will be Friday at 5 p.m. Game Two will be played 30 minutes after Game One. Game Three, if needed, would be Saturday at 10 a.m.

Continued coverage of the Lions’ playoff run will be published in upcoming editions of the News-Telegram.