BRENHAM, Texas-It can take a while to find the right rhythm.
After four scoreless innings, the American Legion Texarkana Bulldogs put up a run in the sixth and then scored six unanswered runs to defeat the Ballinger Cannoneers, 7-1, Wednesday at Fireman's Park in an opening-round game of the American Legion Texas state tournament.
"We started slow," Bulldog head coach Kevin Sutton said. "Our defense was awesome. We started slow at the plate and stranded too many runners."
Texarkana, which plays League City at 4 p.m. today at Fireman's Park, stranded 11.
Cooper Perry earned the win, pitched a complete game, struck out five, did not issue a walk, and retired the first 14 Ballinger batters, allowed a run on three hits.
With a 3-1 lead in the seventh, Chris Lyles ripped a 3-run double to give Texarkana a 6-1 lead. It was the third time that Lyles batted with the bases loaded.
"Lyles comes up and hit a double," Sutton said. "The hit opened the game wide open."
Chris Sutton, who had walked, scored the game's first run on an error in the fifth.
Chris Sutton picked up an RBI in the sixth with a single to the third baseman. Sutton beat out the throw out for an infield hit. Lyles, who had walked, scored on a passed ball to make it a 3-1 game after 5 1/2 innings.
"Chris (Sutton) came through for us with that little dribbler to third to give us the lead," Kevin Sutton said. "Overall, we have to hit better, keep playing good defense, and keep up the good pitching."
Marzavin Riles slapped an RBI double to left to put the game out of reach, 7-1.
Cannoneer starting pitcher Luke Young took the loss, threw 110 pitches over 5 2-3 innings. He gave up two runs on two hits, walked six, struck out five and hit a batter.
The state tournament is double elimination. Texarkana and League City are each 1-0, while Ballinger and Bowie County are 0-1.
Ballinger and Bowie County play in a win-or-go-home game at 9 a.m. today.
Texarkana=000=012=4=-=7=6=0
Ballinger=000=010=0=-=1=3=3
Cooper Perry and Keaton Russo. Luke Young, Jalen Johnston (5), D.J. Cavazos (7), and Nixon Brannan. WP-Perry. LP-Young.