STEPHENVILLE – The Brownwood Lions split their first two games at the Stephenville tournament Thursday, defeating Decatur, 13-1, after suffering a 9-1 loss to Boyd.

In the win over Decatur (2-3-1), the Lions erupted for five runs in the first inning, tacked on single runs in the second and third frame, and scored six more times in the fifth inning.

Brownwood’s first trip to the plate featured a leadoff single by Case Markham, then Austin Wright was hit by a pitch ahead of Gavin Brandstetter reaching on an error, which made the score 1-0. With one out, Owen Huntsinger was plunked by a pitch ahead of an RBI single from Taylor Bessent, which boosted the lead to 2-0.

Campbell Gilmore followed with an RBI sacrifice fly before Noah Gonzalez ripped a two-RBI double to left field to stake the Lions to a 5-0 lead.

During the second inning, Markham started the frame with a double and scored on an RBI ground out by Wright.

In the Lions’ third, Huntsinger led off with a double and scored on an RBI triple by Gilmore.

The six-run fifth inning saw David Turner reach on an error, then Huntsinger walked and Justin Valdez singled to fill the sacks. With one out, back-to-back bases-loaded walks to Gonzalez and Antonio Ybarra plated the first two runs of the frame for a 9-1 cushion. Markham then reached on an error that brought home two more runs and pushed the advantage to double digits, 11-1. Markham and Ybarra later scored on the same error in the field on a pick-off play to boost the lead to 13-1.

Brownwood finished with eight hits, drew one walk and Decatur committed six errors. Markham led the way with two hits and a pair of RBIs while Turner, Huntsinger, Bessent, Valdez, Gilmore and Gonzalez chipped in one hit apiece. Gilmore and Gonzalez were also credited with two RBIs while Ybarra, Bessent and Wright drove in one run apiece.

On the mound, Turner worked five innings to notch the win, yielding just one run on three hits with three strikeouts. The Lion defense committed just one error.

In the loss to Boyd (3-3), Brownwood surrendered one run in the bottom of the first inning, two in the second, one in the third, and five in the fifth.

The Lions were limited to two hits and struck out 10 times against Boyd (3-3) hurler Braden McIntire.

Brownwood’s only run scored in the top of fourth inning as Wright reached on a leadoff error and Brandstetter followed with a single. With two outs, Huntsinger came through with an RBI single by to score Brandstetter.

Cole Miller started on the mound for the Lions and took the loss, yielding four runs – one earned – on five hits with three strikeouts and one walk over three innings.

Aidan Howard tossed 1.1 innings and gave up five runs – four earned – on two hits with two strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Turner pitched to one batter for the Lions and surrendered a base hit before the game ended due to time limit.

The Brownwood defense committed four errors.

The Lions (6-3) return to Stephenville tournament action at noon Friday as they battle Tolar.