The Bowie Jackrabbits started off district last week as they lost two disappointing games to Jacksboro.
The Tigers won 9-5 and 6-4 to win the series overall.
This year’s district schedule is formatted so every team plays each twice within the same week so a team cannot pitch their best players in both games like they could in the past since pitchers have so many days they have to sit out after pitching.
Bowie got off a to a great start in the first game on March 18 at Jacksboro. Edmond De Leon hit a two-run home run to left field to put the Jackrabbits up 2-0 in the top of the first inning.
Unfortunately, the Jackrabbits had an ugly second inning, giving up five runs on four singles, three fielding errors and a triple. Bowie trailed 5-2 and never recovered.
Austin Cheney drove in a run with a single in the fourth inning, but the Tigers got it back in the same inning, scoring on a wild pitch to make it 6-3. Jacksboro then hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and drove in a run on a groundout to extend its lead to 8-3.
Hayden Rodriguez singled to drive in a run for Bowie in the sixth inning, but the Tigers again got it back in the same inning, this time on another fielding error to make it 9-4 heading into the final inning.
The Jackrabbits needed to make up five runs and got a good start when the lead off hitter Rayder Mann got on base by getting hit by a pitch. A passed ball allowed him to get to second base before he stole third base. An error on the throw to third base allowed him to come home, scoring to make it 9-5.
Unfortunately, Bowie could rally for a comeback. After another hit batter, the next three Jackrabbit batters struck out to end the game.
The Tigers won 9-5.
Bowie knew playing a cleaner game defensively would give it a better chance when it played Jacksboro again on March 21. The Jackrabbits also knew they had a good chance with ace De Leon starting on the mound for them.
It was a pitcher’s dual, but unfortunately Bowie’s fielding cost them in the third inning. Three fielding errors and a wild pitch allowed the Tigers to score two runs with two outs to give them the lead 2-0.
It wasn’t until the fifth inning until the Jackrabbit bats were able to break up the shut out. De Leon helped his cause by driving in a run with a single to cut the lead to 2-1.
In the same inning, Bowie had a chance for more runs. A single and walk followed to load the bases with only one out. Unfortunately a strike out followed and then a base runner got picked off at third base for out three. The Jackrabbits trailed 2-1 heading into the sixth inning.
De Leon was subbed out and Jacksboro scored three runs on an RBI single, a passed ball and a wild pitch to make it 5-1 for the Tigers. Jacksboro then added one more run in the seventh inning on an RBI single to put the score at 6-1.
Bowie again needed to make up five runs in its final at-bats.
The Jackrabbits showed life. With two runners on base, an errant throw trying to get one of them out allowed one run to score. Then Caden Belcher’s groundball to first base was too hot to handle, inducing an error that allowed two runs to score.
A drawn walk and hit batter then loaded the bases up with two outs and Bowie had a good chance to complete the comeback.
A high wild pitch allowed the Jackrabbits to try and score from third base. Unfortunately, the Jacksboro catcher fielded the ball and got it to his pitcher at home plate. It was a close call, but the Bowie’s runner sliding home was called out to end the game.
The Tigers won 6-4.

To read the full story, pick up a copy the weekly edition of the Bowie News. For more pictures from the first game at Jacksboro, click here https://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=bnews1&AID=6873814&T=1