Sports

GRAFORD – This small Palo Pinto County community is not known for amusement parks or namely rollercoasters. It got the feel of one last weekend.

At the Athletic Complex here, Jacksboro and Breckenridge gave fans ups and downs and plenty of momentum turns in their three-game series. Ultimately, however, Jacksboro would prevail, knocking Breckenridge out and moving on in the Class 3A postseason.

GLEN ROSE – Mama said there’d be days like this.

Crawford’s varsity softball team, which an identical 19-3 record to Perrin heading into Game one of the Class 2A area round series, got out to a quick start Thursday evening. A four-run first inning, which included a three-run homer, would deflate the Lady Pirates’ spirit in what ended up a 14-0, five-inning loss at Lady Tiger Field here.

Games two and three, if necessary, are set for Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m.. Perrin Coach Ben Staggs praised his opponent for their work.

BOYD – Jacksboro rode both ends of the rollercoaster April 27, coming through with strong starts and finishes in an 8-5 win over the host Yellowjackets.

The Tigers broke a second-place tie with the District 8-3A victory and finish the regular season on a strong note to go 10-4 in loop play (14-12-1 overall) while dropping Boyd, which had beaten the squad in the first meeting to 9-5 and 17-7.

JACKSBORO – You’d be hard-pressed to find a happier man than Ben Staggs Saturday night. 

Perrin’s veteran softball coach nearly leaped out of the Lady Pirate dugout after his squad had recorded the final out and let out a whoop that would make any Texas A&M Aggie proud in a 7-2 Game 2 win over Alvord in a best-of-three Class 2A bi-district win at Tigerette Field here. With the sweep of the Lady Bulldogs, Perrin (19-3) moves on in the postseason for the first time in six years.

BAIRD – Jacksboro’s girls' golf team finished 5th at the Region I-3A Tournament at Shady Oaks Golf Course here. Wednesday and Thursday.

The squad finished with a two-round total of 745. Jacksboro was tied for the third and final spot to qualify for State after the first round.

BOWIE – The monkey is off Perrin’s back.

After qualifying and losing in the first round for the last four years, Perrin’s softballers used enough timely hitting and a good pitching performance from Niecia Gary to post a 6-3 win over Alvord in Thursday night’s opener of the Class 2A bi-district series.

Games two and three, if necessary, are set for Saturday evening in Jacksboro. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Perrin Coach Ben Staggs said his squad was able to take advantage of Alvord pitcher Gracie Gose.

Behind a solid pitching performance from Ty Kennedy, who saw his first action on the hill in about a month, Jacksboro was able to maintain its hold on third place in District 8-3A Tuesday night, getting just enough hitting to help post a 2-1 win over visiting Paradise.

Six Jacksboro athletes qualified for the Region I-3A Meet in Abilene next weekend.

Sophomore Baylee Thompson qualified in both the shot put and discus. Leah Plaster was third in the shot put as well. Freshman Hadlee Richardson was eighth in the triple jump with a 31’ 4 1/4” to wind up the field events.

On the boys' side, David Massengale was second in the 800-meters with a 2:03.07, qualifying him for regionals. 

BOYD – JMS’ 8th-grade girls track team closed its season on a strong note with a second-place finish at the District Zone Meet here.

The girls finished with 162 points. Coach Lisa Richardson was proud of her squad and their achievements.