Lady Leopards face Canton in first round

LONGVIEW, Texas-Liberty-Eylau makes its first appearance in the state softball playoffs since 2014 when the Lady Leopards clash with Canton in a Class 4A best-of-three bi-district series starting today.

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#4 Evan Burris of Alma looks for a hole against Greenwood. #26 Michael Rhea and #32 Justin Barker are defending for Greenwood.

The Lady Leopards (11-9) finished third in District 14-4A, and the Lady Eagles (15-5-1) were runner-up in 13-4A. The first game is set for 6:30 p.m. today at Longview's Lady Lobo Field. Game 2 is 6:30 p.m. Friday at Marshall's Lady Mav Field, and a third game, if needed, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Marshall.

"Canton is going to be pretty good; they got second in their district behind Van," L-E head coach Todd Tipton said. "I don't know much about them. Their first few hitters are supposed to be pretty good, their pitcher is going to be pretty good but I don't think she's going to be overpowering.

"If we put the ball in play and get some of these girls on base, they're going to be pretty aggressive. We've done a good job of that."

Bella Gunderson will be in the circle for the Leopards, and Tori Foster will be behind the plate. Karli Frazier will play first, McKayla Power is at second, Kayla Norris at shortstop and M.J. Coleman at third. The outfield features Tyrah Venable in left, Keely Norris in center and Rayanne Stivers in right, and Mckenzey Williamson will be the designated player.

"I feel pretty confident with our defense," Tipton said. "Tori (Foster) has stepped up and done a good job of filling in (at catcher) since losing Savannah Phelps. When Bella hits her spots, we fell pretty good about that also."

The winner advances to the area round next week against either Carthage or Gilmer.

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