“It was a wild one,” Temple coach Larry Haynes said. “We had some timely early hits and were fortunate to get out to a big lead.”
It was a much-needed lead as Leander cut it to 9-3 after five innings. Then after Temple went up 13-3 in the top of the sixth, The Lions made it interesting with a five-run bottom half of the frame for the final margin.
“We were able to just hold on,” Haynes said. “It was an exciting finish.”
Isaac Matamoros (1-1) picked up the win in relief of Kelly Cast.
Earlier in the day, Temple lost to Cedar Park 7-1 as the Timberwolves got off to a quick 4-0 start in the first inning.
The Wildcats (3-7) will continue tournament play against Austin McCallum at 10 a.m. today.
Temple rallied to beat McCallum 4-3 in eight innings on Thursday.
Belton swept on tourney’s second day
GEORGETOWN - Belton suffered a 6-4 setback to Wylie and a 9-0 five-inning loss to Georgetown on Friday at the Georgetown First Texas Bank Invitational. The Tigers (7-4) will continue tournament play today.
