HALLSVILLE, Texas—Liberty-Eylau’s softball team is state bound, but it didn’t happen like L-E coach Todd Tipton had envisioned.

Spring Hill turned Friday’s first game at Hallsville High School’s Ladycat Field into a track meet, taking advantage of three L-E errors and five stolen bases for a 2-1 victory.

The Lady Panthers gave those three errors and several more back in a decisive third game, and L-E punched its ticket to Austin and the 3A state tournament with a 6-2 victory over the young Spring Hill team.

L-E (24-3) advances to play either next Thursday ni...