NEW BOSTON, Texas—Lacey Middlebrooks and flawless defense remains an unbeatable combination for fourth-ranked Liberty-Eylau.

The Lady Leopards moved within one win of their first-ever appearance in the UIL’s 3A state tournament Thursday at Lady Lions Field by blanking Longview Spring Hill, 3-0, in the opener of their Region II-3A best-of-three championship series.

The second game of the series is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today at Hallsville High School, and if a third game is necessary it will follow.

L-E’s crafty right-hander Middlebrooks was never in ser...