Mansfield Legacy advances to state tourney behind miraculous 12-run rally in final inning

For outcomes from the 6A regional final, click on right here.

CLEBURNE — Andrew Taylor remembers nothing particular being mentioned in the Mansfield Legacy dugout that may foreshadow the miraculous final-inning comeback that was to come.

“Just enterprise as traditional, that’s who we’re,’’ mentioned the catcher and cleanup hitter amid the celebration after Legacy overcame an eight-run deficit in the seventh inning with a 12-run outburst to defeat Aledo 13-9 in the decisive recreation of a best-of-3 playoff sequence for the Class 5A Region I title and a state event berth Saturday afternoon at Cleburne High.

“A comeback like that’s the epitome of an amazing group and there’s no different group of fellows I’d need to play with,’’ Taylor mentioned.

Legacy (32-9) earned the varsity’s first journey to the UIL state event and can play a state semifinal on Thursday in Round Rock in opposition to an opponent to be decided.

“I’ve by no means been part of something like that,’’ mentioned Legacy coach Chris McMullen, “however these guys did the job. We had nothing to lose and that performs a component in it.’’

Aledo (29-12) noticed its season finish in the regional finals for the second consecutive yr however in a a lot crueler vogue.

“For six innings we dominated the sport and in one inning all of it got here aside,’’ mentioned Aledo coach Chad Barry, who used 4 pitchers in the seventh.

Legacy batted 17 in the seventh, reaching base on eight hits, 4 walks and a hit-batsman. Taylor, Kayden Voelkel and Connor Crayton every had two hits in the seventh inning alone. Voelkel’s second hit of the body drove in the tying run and Given King gave Legacy a lead with a excessive infield chop to third that allowed Parker Ibrahimi at third base simply sufficient time to beat a throw to the plate.

Dylan Schlaegel relieved in the second inning and held Aledo to three runs in selecting up the victory.

Aledo began rapidly in Game 3 with 5 well-placed singles and a wonderfully executed squeeze bunt by Estevan Flores, producing 4 runs. Andrew Cambre drove in the second run with a base hit and Ryan Jones slid one by means of the infield to plate two extra.

The Aledo lead grew to 7-0 in the second inning, the important thing hit a two-run single by University of Texas recruit Max Belyeu.

Legacy obtained on the board on an RBI single by J.T. Longino in the highest of the fourth inning and Aledo answered in the house half with David Jones’ leadoff single and Trace Mazon’s sacrifice bunt producing a run to restore the seven-run cushion, 8-1.

Ryan Jones’ single in the fifth drove in Adrian Guzman to enhance the lead to 9-1 and gave Jones his third RBI.

Legacy took the Friday night time opener 8-5 and Aledo compelled a 3rd recreation with a 12-4 victory in Game 2 in Saturday’s early recreation.

Aledo capitalized on two Legacy errors in a five-run second inning highlighted by a two-run double by Mazon.

Belyeu utilized the final touch with a grand slam in the seventh inning. Hunter Rudel struck out six in 5 innings and picked up the victory.

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