The Bishop Badgers (19-8-1) varsity baseball squad beat Freer in the opening round of the Texas High School Baseball Playoffs to advance to the area round for the second consecutive year.

The Badgers needed all three games to overcome a tough Freer Buckaroo team, coming from behind to win 7-6 in game three on Saturday, May 8 in Falfurrias.

“It took pretty much all day to eliminate the Buckaroos,” Bishop Badger Head Baseball Coach Nathan Borden said.

Game two was a pitching duel between Bishop’s pitcher Carl Huizar and Freer’s Rudy Vela.

The Badgers out hit the Buckaroos, but Freer was able to take advantage of some free passes and some costly miscues by Bishop.

Freer knotted the series at 1-1 with a game two win of 3-1 over the Badgers to force a game three.

Game three proved to be the game of the series, with both teams fighting to stay alive and move on to the next round of the playoffs.

The Badgers scored two runs in the opening inning, but Freer doubled that with four runs of their own to take an early two run advantage over Bishop.

The Buckaroos added another run in the second inning to extend their lead 5-2.

Bishop’s pitcher A.J. Gaona seemed to take control on the mound, holding the Buckaroos scoreless the next four innings.

Meanwhile, the Badger offense scored two runs in the fourth inning and one more in the sixth inning to tie the game.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Badger’s shortstop Tres Figueroa hit a ground ball to right that scored Robert Gaona from second base, to give the Badgers the lead 6-5.

Bishop was able to post a two run cushion as outfielder Jacob Beltran also scored in the final inning.

The Buckaroos were not done fighting, with two batters getting on base in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Badgers turned to pitcher Dave Gonzalez to close out the game and collect the save in the process.

Freer was able to push one run across home plate before an excellent defensive play by Figueroa and a strikeout by Gonzalez to end the game and advance the Badgers to the area round of the state playoffs with the 7-6 game three victory.

“The guys were down all day it seemed, but were able to pull it together enough to win and that is what counts,” Borden said.

In game one, the Badgers took care of business, winning 8-3 on Thursday, May 6 to open the series on the right foot.

Bishop’s Joey Olvera set the tone on the mound, pounding the strike zone early.

The Badgers had 11 hits on the night, with Figueroa, Huizar, third baseman Nick Pacheco and catcher Tommy Cavazos leading the charge.

Defensively, the Badger’s outfield played an excellent game. Jacob Beltran made an outstanding throw from right field to stop a run from scoring early in the game.

Patrick Ramirez executed two exciting catches in the outfield, covering lots of ground despite a nagging ankle injury.

“I am proud of these guys, they made some really great plays tonight. We came out focused and really played as a team. Hopefully we can carry that enthusiasm into game two,” Borden said.

The Badgers series victory over the Buckaroos advances them to the area round to face the Refugio Bobcats in a best of three game series.

Games one and two will take place at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 13 and Friday May 14 at Fairgrounds Field in Robstown.

If needed, game three, will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 15 at Fairgrounds Field in Robstown.