Liberty-Eylau in semi-state for third straight year — what’s changed?

TEXARKANA, TX (KTAL/KMSS) — Liberty-Eylau baseball is making its third consecutive semi-state appearance, but what has changed in the last few years?

“A whole bunch,” senior Britain Pipes said. “A whole bunch of different coaches now, a bunch of different players. There’s a lot of seniors this year, usually, we don’t have that many seniors on the squad,.”

But faces in the dugout are not the only changes. There is a new level of maturity.

“It’s just changed this year. We’re trying to stay as humble as possible this year,” Britain Pipes said. “We know not to try and look ahead. We don’t want to look at the finish line or think about holding up that trophy. We’re just trying to stay in the now and trying to get that first game win.”

The majority of this group of Leopards have gotten the invaluable experience of being a part of a state game, no matter how big their role, since they were freshmen and sophomores. Something none of the other three teams left in the 3A-DI division have.

“I feel like I’m more experienced, I feel like that’s for everybody,” senior Triston Haugh said. “The first time we went, I mean, it was crazy just seeing everything at UT Stadium, but now, a little bit older now, a little bit more used to it, know what to expect. So it’s a better feeling for sure.”

While the experience is great, this is a new season and anything can happen. The Leopards are not naive to that.

“It means a lot to do it year after year, but this year is a whole different year, a whole different game, and job’s not finished,” head coach Zach Fowler said. “So right now we’re focused on getting ready for Iowa Park and that’ll be it. If we can get past them, we’ll look up and see who’s next, but right now all the focus is on Iowa Park. It’s nice to be back in the Final Four, but that’s not hopefully the end of the story.”

Liberty-Eylau will face off against Iowa Park on Friday, May 30 at 7 pm and Saturday, May 31 at 2 pm, the third game following if necessary. All games will be played at Forney High School.