Leopards advance to Sweet Sixteen in the state tournament

The first game heated up early in the bottom of the first inning with Judd Schmakel and Gaven Sears scoring the first few runs for the Leopards, including another signature home run for Sears.

The Leopards came back to deal more damage at the bottom of the second inning with six runs scored on five hits. Cam Cooper, Owen Miller, Warren Leftwich, Colin Caudell, and Chase Morrison scored the runs for the Leopards, with Morrison scoring two and the others scoring one.

The Leopards dealt the final blow at the bottom of the third inning when they scored five more runs to completely outpace Eagle’s Landing.

Miller, Leftwich, and Schmakel once again shone during their time on the plate. Miller was struck by a pitch, driving in a run. Leftwich once again singled to score one run, and Schmakel is credited with two runs.

The Leopards worked hard to keep their score intact with Judd Spear and Caudell leading at the pitcher’s plate. Spear was able to strike out four runners before switching out with Caudell, who pitched two shutout innings.

The game seemed to fly by with the Leopards in the lead with 15-2. But the night was just getting started, and the Leopards had to prove once again that they could outscore Eagle’s Landing.

They proved their grit early in the game.

The Leopards made off with 18 runs, 11 of those scored in the fourth inning by Leftwich, Morrison, Sears, Miller, Caudell, Aucy Jacobs, and Andrew Humphries. Sears and Morrison doubled during the inning, and Leftwich was a key batter, scoring a run with a walk and hitting a sacrifice fly to drive in another.

Many crucial plays were also made in the beginning of the game with Schmakel, Cooper, and Leftwich scoring early for the team. Schmakel hit a sacrifice fly, Cooper singled, and Leftwich doubled during the first inning, building the foundation for the Leopards to enjoy that 11-run inning.

Austin Anderson and Sears pitched for the Leopards during the second match.

Sears gave up one hit and no runs over three innings, while striking out six batters and walking three. Anderson followed to pitch a no-run inning, giving up no hits.

With a total of nine hits in the game, the Leopards walked off the home field with an 18-0 win over Eagle’s Landing, propelling them into the Sweet Sixteen bracket of the GHSA 2A State tournament.

This week, the Leopards advance against the Walker Wolverines in a three-game showdown. On Wednesday, May 1, the Leopards will return to the home field at 4:00 p.m. for their first game in the double-header matchup. The second game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

On Thursday, May 2, the Leopards and the Walker Wolverines will battle on the field one more time at 5:00 p.m. to determine who advances to the Elite Eight in the state bracket.