Stephenville Yellow Jackets top Snyder Tigers 6-2 in Game 1 of regional semifinals

Three strong innings in a row proved to be the difference for Stephenville on Thursday.

The Yellow Jackets defeated Snyder 6-2 in Game 1 of their Region I-4A  semifinal at Abilene Christian University’s Crutcher Scott Field.

“They outcoached us, they pretty much outplayed us but in the end, we did the things we needed to do to win,” Stephenville head coach Justin Swenson said. “That’s the sign of a really good baseball team.”

Despite combining for five hits in the first two innings, neither team scored a run in those frames. Both starters — Snyder’s Easton Stewart and Stephenville’s Reece Elston — worked out of difficult situations early on to keep the game scoreless.

In the third inning, Stephenville broke the tie, scoring four runs on four singles and three hit batters.

Snyder, though, had an answer. The Tigers plated two runs in the top of the fourth to cut the Yellow Jackets’ lead in half and keep the game within reach.

But Stephenville added an insurance run in each of the next two innings to pull away.

Though Stewart threw well early on, his velocity wasn’t as fast as opposing pitchers from Iowa Park, Decatur and Burkburnett, which Stephenville faced in recent games.

That made it difficult for the Yellow Jackets early on, but eventually they settled in.

“The seniors kind of stepped up and took control,” Swenson said. “It took us a while to adjust, but luckily we started putting stuff together late.”

While the Yellow Jackets ended up winning by four runs, Snyder coach Shane Stewart never felt like his team was out of it.

“We knew they were a good ball club,” Stewart said. “They executed a few things, but I was proud of the way we competed. You never know how this game’s going to go, that’s why you keep playing.”

Elston, Stephenville’s junior ace, earned the win on the hill, allowing two runs on seven hits in 5⅔ innings.

Though it wasn’t Elston’s best performance, the pitcher threw his way out of multiple runners-on situations.

“Reece didn’t have his A-plus stuff and he battled through some deep counts and had some guys in scoring position,” Swenson said. “Sometimes, you don’t have your best stuff, but he made the most of it.”

Stewart was the losing pitcher. He allowed five earned runs in six innings.

Both teams recorded eight hits.

For Stephenville, KB Bowman, Nate Barry and Dylanjer Meiron each had two knocks as Barry had a team-high three RBIs. Stewart, Hunter Stewart and Dyllan Angelley each had two hits, pacing Snyder’s offense.

Though Snyder only had two runs to show for it, Stewart applauded his team’s effort in the batter’s box.

“We squared a couple up tonight,” the coach said. “We try to find ways to put balls in play and put pressure on the defense.”

Stephenville (23-11-1) is a win away from the regional final, where the Yellow Jackets would face Argyle.

The Yellow Jackets are bidding for a return to the state tournament.

But Swenson and company aren’t looking ahead: Thursday’s game proved Snyder is a formidable opponent and the Yellow Jackets will need to play strong baseball to advance.

“These guys caught our attention,” Swenson said. “Not that they didn’t have our respect before, but they have our respect. They showed up.

“Watching them play reminds me of a Stephenville baseball team. They’re scrappy, they run the bases, they have trick plays on defense, and they execute well.”

Snyder (23-10), on the other hand, needs to win two games over the Yellow Jackets Saturday to move on. Saturday’s action will be played at Hardin-Simmons, with Game 2 beginning at 1 p.m. If necessary, Game 2 will begin 30 minutes afterward.

“We’re not going to go away,” Stewart said. “We’ve got to find a way to win two.”

Carson Field is the area sports reporter for the Abilene Reporter-News. He covers primarily Big Country high school sports. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to reporternews.com.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Stephenville edges Snyder 6-2 in Game 1 of regional semifinals