MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas Some folks thought Liberty-Eylau coach Rick Fowler was playing riverboat gambler by not starting senior all-stater Will Middlebrooks on the mound Thursday in the Leopards Region II-3A quarterfinal playoff series opener with Athens.

‘How can I be gambling? Fowler said after watching his son Zach beat Athens at Northeast Texas Community College, 4-1. ‘Look at the stats. I dont care if he is my son. Hes 10-1 this year. Honestly, I dont know why I didnt pitch Will. It was just a gut feeling.

The younger Fowler had to pitch out of three jams, but was robbed of ...

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