Lions edge out Yantis

SALTILLO — The Saltillo Lions clinched their first playoff berth since 2008 Tuesday by outlasting the Yantis Owls 6-5 in extra innings. After trailing for much of the game, the Lions rallied back and managed to win in extra innings.

Prior to the game, the Lions celebrated the careers of their two seniors — Draden Boyd and Jordan Metcalf — as this would be their final home game at Saltillo High School.

The Owls got on the board first in the top of the first inning with a run, taking a 1-0 lead. The Lions would answer back when Lucas Womack scored a run in the bottom of the second inning, tying the score at 1-1.

In the second inning, the Owls added two more runs, pulling ahead 3-1. This was followed by a scoreless third inning.

The Owls scored again in the fourth inning with another run, extending their lead to 4-1. A scoreless fifth inning ensued.

The Lions’ offense caught fire in the sixth inning, scoring four runs. Womack, Tobin Potter, Mason Stillwagoner, and Kolbe Cooke all scored, as the Lions pulled ahead 5-4.

The Owls answered with a run in the top of the seventh inning, tying the score at 5-5. After the Lions failed to score in the bottom of the seventh inning, the game went to extra innings.

Yantis would retired in order to start the eighth inning. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Lions won the game when Cooke scored the walk-off run, capping off a 6-5 victory.

As a team, the Lions batted 11 for 34 (.344) from the plate. Cooke led the way with three hits. Boyd, Potter, and Womack recorded two hits each, while Eathan Rees and Stillwagoner added one hit a piece.

Cooke and Womack shared the title of leading scorer with two runs each. Potter and Stillwagoner added one run each.

Rees started the game at pitcher. Across three innings, he struck out seven batters, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and two walks. Stillwagoner earned the win in his five relief innings, recording eight strikeouts and surrendering just six walks, four hits, and two earned runs.

With the win, the Lions improved to 3-2 in district and 7-5 overall. They resumed action Friday, playing the Owls again, this time at Yantis High School.