The Panthers give up 12 runs after taking early three-run lead

From staff reports

CORPUS CHRISTI – The Liberty Hill Panthers (32-9) put together 12 hits and hot start in their Class 5A regional final series opener on Thursday.

Despite the Panthers taking an early 5-2 lead in the first inning, Harlingen South outscored Liberty Hill 12-2 in the next six innings to win the first game of the best-of-three series 14-7.

Addison Shifflet was a home run and a single shy of hitting for the cycle. The junior was 3 for 4 with two triples and a double with one RBI. Freshman Bella Nicholson was 2 for 3 with two RBIs, while catcher Cadence Wiese hit a home in the first inning as part of a 2 for 2 performance at the plate.

This isn’t the first time Liberty Hill has lost the first game of a series during this year’s playoffs.

Smithson Valley won Game 1 of the regional quarterfinal series with Liberty Hill before the Panthers took both games of a double header to advance.

Liberty Hill will have the chance to do that again Saturday at the Northside ISD sports complex in San Antonio. Game 2 is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.