TYLER, Texas—Pleasant Grove moved into the Class 4A area round of the state playoffs and will face Brownsboro in a best-of-three series today.
The Hawks (23-4) face the Bears (23-9-1) in a doubleheader today with Game 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Mike Carter Field. Game 2 will follow 30 minutes after the completion of Game 1.
Last week in a one-game showdown, the Hawks shut out Gilmer, 4-0, in the bi-district round behind Ryan Galvan's stellar pitching performance.
"We are going to have to get outstanding pitching performances," Hawks head coach Riley Fincher said. "We have to do a better job of getting runners on base early and doing what we can to get runs across early.
"The guys are doing well and are excited. Anytime we get to keep playing longer, it's a positive thing. The first playoff game is the toughest because it's the first time a lot of guys get to play in the playoffs. We are going to keep doing the things we do really well."
Brownsboro is coming off a best-of-three series victory over Farmersville. The Bears won Game 1, 2-1, dropped Game 2, 3-2, and shut out the Farmers in Game 3, 10-0.
"We have seen Brownsboro play, and they are very aggressive," Fincher said. "They have won a lot of games. They know how to win, and they expect to win. They are solid all around. "Our focus right now is to do everything we can to win Game 1."
Right-hander Nick Voyles or southpaw Galvan will start on the hill for Pleasant Grove.
Starting on the infield for the Hawks are catcher Keaton Russo, first baseman Tucker Anderson, second baseman Parker Twisdale, shortstop Jackson Cobb, and third baseman Ben Harmon.
Andrew LeGrand plays left field, Seth Hopkins is in center, and Ben Wilson, Brock Bearden or Galvan (if he does not pitch) will be the right fielder. Marshall Cox will be the Hawks' designated hitter.
Game 3 of the series, if needed, will be at Pleasant Grove's Hawk Field on Friday at 7 p.m.
The winner of the series will play either Kilgore or Wills Point in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals next week.
