Temple got a much-needed sweep of Vernon with 8-2 and 11-2 wins on Wednesday at Danny Scott Sports Complex.

Four straight doubleheader splits in Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play put the Leopards (29-22 overall, 17-13 NTJCAC) in virtual must-win mode against last-place Vernon.

With a sweep in hand, the Leopards likely need to win only one of two against the Chaparrals in their conference finale this weekend to wrap up one of the league’s four regional berths.

“We knew going into this four-game series with (Vernon), that we’d have to win three games to assure ourselves of a spot in the playoffs,” Temple coach Craig McMurtry said. “We were obviously hoping at home to get the sweep.”

The Leopards got out to a fast start in the seven-inning opener, scoring four runs in the first inning to take control.

A sacrifice fly by Nick Anders and a single to left field by Garrett Bivone each scored a run to give the Leopards a 2-0 lead.

Two batters later, catcher Johnathon Moore smacked a two-out double to left that scored Bivone and Michael Haynes, who reached on an error.

Moore finished 2-for-2 - both doubles - with three RBI.

“Those four runs in the first inning were huge,” McMurtry said. “As a coach, you’re always looking at what could happen . . . anything can happen when you walk a couple guys.

“Getting those four runs and keep adding to it was huge.”

But McMurtry had no reason to worry.

Sophomore left-hander Daniel Meadows (5-3) took over from there, allowing five hits and two earned runs in five innings.

With a strong wind blowing in from left field, Meadows was able to force Vernon to put the ball in play, knowing it would take quite a hit to get the ball out of the park.

The Chaparrals were able to smack one out - a home run to center field in the fifth inning by Matt Weldon.

But that was the best hit Vernon had off Temple pitching all afternoon.

Leopard pitching had little trouble against the Chaparrals in the nine-inning second game.

Sophomore right hander Courtney Behrend pitched eight strong innings, allowing six hits and two runs - one earned.

Behrend’s high fastball got the Chaparrals to hit into 10 fly ball outs, an easy out with the wind blowing in.

“That’s why he’s successful here with the wind blowing in like it usually does,” McMurtry said. “If you get the ball up, it’s not going anywhere. If you don’t get it up, it’s got a chance to cut the wind.”

Behrend retired the Chaparrals in order for the first four innings while the Leopards built an 8-0 lead.

Temple scored six runs in the fourth to blow the game open, with two runs coming off Vernon errors.

Travis Trial led the Leopards, going 3-for-5 with an RBI.

With the series shifting to Vernon for the final two games, the Leopards know they have little wiggle room, especially in the Chaparrals’ run-friendly park.

“Their field is exactly opposite of ours, the wind blows straight out,” McMurtry said. “No lead is safe, home runs can happen at any minute.”

Sophomore right-hander and Temple graduate Tristan Gaines is expected to pitch Game 1 against Vernon on Saturday.