CISCO – In a back-and-forth battle in Game 1 of their Region I-3A baseball bi-district series, the Early Longhorns yielded the final run Friday afternoon in a 6-5 loss to the Jacksboro Tigers.

District 8-3A runner-up Early (16-8) and District 7-3A third seed Jacksboro (23-7-2) will play Games 2 and 3, if needed, of their series at 1 p.m. Saturday at Brock High School.

In Friday’s contest at Cisco College, Early grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the first and Jacksboro rallied with three runs in the bottom of the second. The Longhorns then jumped in front 5-3 in the top of the fifth only for the Tigers to respond with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Jacksboro never led until the bottom of the sixth inning, when it pushed across the decisive run.

The Longhorns were limited to four hits, drew six walks and struck out 11 times. Jaxyn Price and Cooper Jacobs both finished with a hit and two RBIs, while Jeremy Brown and Ethan Pallette contributed singles as well.

On the mound, Pallette went the distance and surrendered six runs – three earned – on six hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks. The Early defense committed a pair of errors behind him.

The series winner will advance to face District 5 champion Blanco – which knocked off District 6 fourth seed Coahoma, 13-7 and 14-13 – next weekend in the area round of the playoffs.

*Note: Early softball’s area playoff series opener against Llano Friday night was rained out. The Lady Horns and Llano will now square off in a one-game playoff at 11 a.m. Saturday in Lampasas.