Seven-run 2nd fuels Lions’ 9-4 win at Graham for second district series split

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GRAHAM – For the second week in a row, the Brownwood Lions halved a District 6-4A baseball series with its opponent, rebounding from a 3-1 home loss to the Graham Steers for a 9-4 road victory Friday.

The nine-run outburst for the Lions (10-12, 2-2) is the most in a game since March 1, a 17-0 non-district victory over Merkel to close out the Sweetwater tournament.

Against Graham (12-7, 2-2) Friday, Brownwood seized control thanks to seven runs in the top of the second inning. The Steers trimmed the deficit to 7-4 in the bottom of the third, but the reigning 6-4A champion Lions added their final two runs in the fifth.

The Lions produced 11 hits led by three and one RBI apiece from Antonio Ybarra and Austin Wright. Robbie Robinson singled twice and drove in one, while Jack Field chipped in a pair of RBIs with a single. Austin Pittman also singled and collected an RBI, Dario Rodriguez added a base hit, and Julius Lara plated a run as well.

Brownwood also drew six walks, led by Evan Escobar with two, and Graham committed the game’s two errors.

On the mound, Logan Flores picked up the win, allowing four earned runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts and one walk in four innings. Wright finished the game, tossing two innings of scoreless, hitless relief with a walk and two strikeouts.

Brownwood is back in action at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Brock (14-2, 3-1), which knocked off Glen Rose (11-10, 0-4) by a 7-4 count Friday. In the other district game Friday, Mineral Wells (12-7-1, 4-0) remained alone atop the 6-4A standings with a 4-3 victory over Stephenville (15-5-2, 1-3), which has dropped three straight league contests.