(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) Bryce Dallmeyer runs the bases in a recent game.

By Merle Bertrand, Sportswriter

Liberty Hill Panthers coach Mike Kristan jokes that the reason his 2012 District Champion baseball club has been so successful is because he’s just gotten out of the way and let his team play baseball.

Self-deprecation aside, if there was one undoubtedly inspired move Kristan and his staff made, it was to tab senior Bryce Dallmeyer to be the Panthers’ designated hitter.

“We couldn’t find a shortstop that was working, so we moved our starting shortstop to first base, where I was playing,” Dallmeyer recalled Kristan’s early season lineup shuffling. “They still wanted my bat in the line-up, so they just put me as the DH. Ever since then, it’s just been clicking, you know? It’s been working for us.”

That it has. Dallmeyer has consistently added some punch to a scrappy Liberty Hill line-up, batting .315 on the season heading into the playoffs, with a couple of home runs and 21 RBIs, second-highest on the team behind fellow senior Kolby Keith. Dallmeyer also leads the Panthers with a .575 slugging percentage, as evidenced by his two triples and team-leading nine doubles.

The son of David and Robin Dallmeyer, Dallmeyer has been taking rips at the plate since he was four years-old. He has an older sister, Kelsey (21), and is a proud uncle to his one year-old nephew, Ryan.

Dallmeyer, who celebrates his birthday on August 9th, admits that although he loves baseball, his favorite sport remains football. He acknowledged that part of the reason was because, well, this is Texas, after all, where football still reigns. Part of it was also because of the sheer number of friends he had on the Panthers football squad, and finally simply because, “Football’s a fun sport. I love being in contact sports.”

It also didn’t hurt that he’s good at it, earning Academic All-District and First Team All-District awards on the gridiron. Not surprisingly, Dallmeyer is an accomplished powerlifter as well, notching a 3rd Place finish at a competition in Lampasas, and a Gold medal at an event in Smithville.

But right now, Dallmeyer’s focus is solely on a sport that he’s also loved since childhood.

“My favorite part about baseball would have to be, well, everything, really,” Dallmeyer punted on the question. “Hitting is my strong suit. That’s why I’m the DH, but yeah, every part of baseball, I love it.”

And Dallmeyer is especially enjoying this season.

“We’re all just banding together like brothers, just going to win,” Dallmeyer summed up the Panthers’ collective mood heading into post-season play. “We want to get as far as we can in the playoffs and hopefully get to State.”

While expressing satisfaction at the improved chemistry and effort put forth by this year’s Panthers as a group, Dallmeyer acknowledged one personal disadvantage to his DH role.

“It’s sort of hard to stay mentally connected because if you go up your first at-bat and you strike out, it’s just going to stay on your mind,” Dallmeyer admitted. “You can’t go out on the field and throw around the ball a little bit, get your blood pumping and forget about it. It just stays on your mind.

“Every now and then I’ll miss it (playing defense),” Dallmeyer continued. “But it’s kind of nice just having to focus on my hitting; getting better at hitting.”

Dallmeyer, a country and rock music fan who named Lynyrd Skynrd and George Strait as his favorite musical artists, enjoys hanging out with his girlfriend, Kathryne Denise Shanks, as well as hunting and fishing. His favorite meal -- smoked sirloin steak, a baked potato and a wedge salad – largely explains his aforementioned slugging percentage.

What might come as a surprise is that Dallmeyer admitted he’s a fan of the Twilight series and the romantic drama film The Vow.

Dallmeyer plans on attending college this fall, although he has yet to settle on a school. Wherever he goes – he’s whittled the choice to between UTSA and Tarleton State – Dallmeyer tentatively plans on giving college baseball a shot, although his college emphasis will be on the scholastic side of the equation.

“I’ll go and try out for baseball maybe,” Dallmeyer pondered. “I’d like to keep playing, yes, but I just don’t know if I’m good enough for the college level yet. I hope I can.”

For now, however, the Panthers’ power hitter is savoring his dwindling days of playing baseball before Liberty Hill’s knowledgeable fans.

“Every game, our crowd got bigger and bigger because they were hearing about us winning every game. They came to support us and make us know that we were doing good,” Dallmeyer recalled.

The Panthers (18-7-1) are doing well and will open the playoffs this weekend against Yoakum in a best-of-three set at Cedar Creek High School. Dallmeyer is a big reason why the Panthers are headed to the post season, and he, in turn, can thank his head coach for allowing him to focus on his offense.

“I look big and mean but I have a great personality and I get along with everyone, Dallmeyer relayed.

Everyone, that is, except opposing pitchers.

(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) Bailey Browder has had a great, consistent season for the Lady Panthers. She had the game-winning hit in a 2-1, 8-inning playoff win over Fredericksburg.

By Merle Bertrand, Sportswriter

Little League baseball coaches often put their weakest defensive player out in right field, thinking that’s the safest place to hide him (or her).

That’s not the case on the close confines of a softball field, however, where everything happens fast and everywhere is in play. It’s even less true in the case of the Liberty Hill Lady Panthers, especially when hard throwing pitcher Kourtney Bevers is in the circle. Just ask senior right fielder Bailey Browder.

“Everybody kind of thinks that left and center field might get all the (action), but with Kourtney, there are a lot of times people (swing) late,” Browder explains with a slight chuckle. “She throws outside, so there are definitely some hard hits to right field.”

Cue the spotlight on Bailey Allyssa Browder.

Born in Waco on August 21, Browder moved to Liberty Hill with her parents, Brian and Jeanette Browder, when she was in the sixth grade. Her younger sister Makinley (12) is a student at Liberty Hill Intermediate School.

Although Browder has been playing softball since she was four years-old, she also excelled at and began winning awards in another sport as well. Browder was an Academic All-District selection in track her freshman year, when she went to Regionals in pole vaulting. She also took third and fourth place in pole vaulting in the Junior Olympics.

“I did both (softball and pole vaulting) that year,” Browder recalled, explaining that shoulder surgery the summer before her sophomore year brought an unfortunate end to her track career.

“It just made jumping really hard and I didn’t really have the time to do both of them,” Browder recounted her decision to focus exclusively on softball. “I actually tried jumping again this year and I was missing too much of both (sports), so I had to pick one.”

Echoing a theme heard often from members of this year’s district championship club, Browder is keeping the Lady Panthers’ successful regular season run in perspective when compared to the big picture.

“It’s pretty exciting because this is the third year in a row that we’ve gotten the district championship, and even though it hasn’t been like a perfect season, we’ve still got the first week off in the playoffs which helps a lot,” Browder stated. “We’re just excited to go on to the playoffs and looking to make it to State.”

Readily acknowledging the chemistry problems that have hindered past Lady Panthers’ squads, Browder is quick to emphasize that this year’s team is different.

“I really enjoy the team that we have. Even though sometimes we might not all get along, in the end we’re all in it for each other and we all just want the best for the team,” she stated.

“Last year we did have some problems with everybody getting along and everything and that did hurt us,” she admitted. “But this year, everybody’s really been working on it and I think that we’ve got a really good shot because everybody is getting along and we’re all part of a family. Everybody’s gotten a lot closer and everything so I think we’ve got a really good team bond.”

As a youngster, Browder played on the 2007 Fourteen-and-Under Pony National Champion softball team. An Academic All-District selection in softball her sophomore and junior years, she was a 2^nd Team All-District honoree her sophomore year and District Offensive MVP last season.

Off the field, Browder enjoys shopping, going to the lake, and being with friends and family. A Texas Country music fan, Browder’s favorite type of food is seafood, although she splits her vote for favorite meal between King Crab legs and filet mignon.

The Lady Panthers’ right fielder recounted that she had a really bad lisp when she was a little girl, which has since disappeared. That may help explain why Browder claims to be somewhat of a shy person, although she admitted that, “…once I get to know someone I can be very talkative and social.”

Browder will graduate in the Top Five of Liberty Hill’s 2012 graduating class and will attend Texas A&M University next fall. Once there, she plans on majoring in Genetics, then attending medical school to eventually become a plastic surgeon.

Outside of intramural play in college, these last few games will mark the end of Browder’s softball career and she is trying to savor the moment. She also knows what she will miss the most.

“Just the part of being on a team itself because you get to where you take it for granted at times,” Browder mused. “But then I feel that once it’s gone, I’m definitely going to miss that part of it the most. Because the memories that you have from it, it’s more like with your teammates than the games themselves.

“It’s pretty bittersweet but I’m excited. I’m ready for us to go to State. I think this is our year.”

Browder was quick to acknowledge her good fortune at having moved to Liberty Hill.

“The support from Liberty Hill is awesome!” Browder exclaimed. “You’ve got all the parents and everybody who have been watching you since you were (little) playing. And they bring the younger (kids) into it and it makes them want to be a part of it. They do the same thing in softball and basketball because it is such a small town, everybody’s able to join together and it just helps make the team stronger.

“Plus being in Liberty Hill, and especially our class, it’s so athletic and so good at softball, it makes it fun to play whenever you’re with people that like when you’re doing good,” Browder continued.

Browder was also quick to give credit to those around her who have helped the senior, not just on the softball field, but all throughout her young life.

“I’d just really like to thank my parents because they’ve always been there for me,” Browder began, “and I’d just like to thank God for the opportunity for letting me play and giving me all of these amazing blessings like He has.”

Clearly with Bailey Browder, right field is in very good hands.

(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) Matt Parks has been an outstanding pitcher for the Liberty Hill Panthers.

By Merle Bertrand, Sportswriter

Liberty Hill senior pitcher Matt Parks took to the mound Saturday afternoon (April 12) with the Panthers’ season hanging by a thread. Seven scoreless innings and ten strikeouts later, Parks had shutout the Yoakum Bulldogs and propelled the Panthers into a decisive Game 3.

Unfortunately, the Panthers came up short in that rubber game and saw their otherwise successful 2012 season draw to a premature close, but Parks had done his part, as usual.

“I fully expected us to go past the fourth round,” lamented Parks who, in a classy move, kept this interview commitment despite his obvious anguish from the abrupt season’s end just the day before. “I figured we were going to go pretty far, but the other day I started getting these vibes that we just didn’t have it one day. When we lost to Salado, I could just see it. Our team just was kind of flat, you know? It was just, we didn’t have that fire inside of us and we never got that fire back.”

Matthew Garrett Parks burns with a quiet intensity on the mound. A 1^st Team All-District honoree and former Allstate Athlete of the Week, Parks compiled a 7-2 record and an imposing 1.19 ERA over the course of the season.

Then there are the 109 strikeouts he amassed in 60 1/3 innings. A quick stab at the math shows Parks struck out just barely less than two batters every inning he pitched.

“I’ve always been a pitcher and I’ve always been decently good, I guess,” Parks demurred. “I don’t know. When I’m on the mound I just feel…I don’t feel pressure. I don’t feel a rush. I just feel in complete control and I just love it more than any other condition.”

The eldest of Mike and Penny Parks’ two sons – younger brother Aaron (13) attends Tippit Middle School – Parks, an Austin native, has been playing baseball since his T-ball days as a five year-old.

“When I was a freshman at Georgetown I played football and I loved it there because I was a receiver and it was just so much fun to me,” recalled Parks, who celebrates his birthday on January 28. “And then I came to Liberty Hill and Liberty Hill doesn’t pass, so I just didn’t like (playing football) here. I just went straight baseball.”

And that’s when Panthers baseball coach Mike Kristan became a big fan of the Slot-T offense.

When not making opposing batters look foolish at the plate, Parks enjoys a heaping plate of seafood, in particular calamari. A rock music fan who lists Led Zeppelin as his favorite group, Parks enjoys playing Play Station 3 and “chilling with friends;” friends whom, Parks pointed out, were also his teammates.

“The team bonding was just great,” Parks relayed. “I mean, yeah, every now and then people will get irritated with each other, but it was great.

“Playing for Coach Kristan, he’ll get irritated sometimes and says hilarious things. It was just really fun. The team became, we were all like brothers. We all hung out outside of school. Our baseball team was our friend group.”

Although the Panthers’ season has drawn to an early close, Parks is not done playing baseball. He will pitch for Hill College in Hillsboro next season, an experience he looks forward to, even while acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead.

“(I will miss) that innocence of still (being) in high school, playing baseball because I’m moving off to college and things are…going to be more fast-paced. It’ll be a lot harder,” Parks predicted. “You know, high school for me, it was always easy going and fun and just how I like baseball but now it’s time to get serious.

“I feel like it’s going to be a change for the good, like it will be more serious baseball which is something I always kind of wanted, but at the same time, it’s going to be a lot harder.”

Although he has yet to make a final decision, Parks is “kind of leaning towards” going into pre-law with an eye towards law school eventually if he likes the preliminaries.

As he began to process the end of his baseball career at LHHS, the emotion weighed on Park’s voice.

“The fans were great this year,” Parks stated. “They definitely had our backs, even when it seemed like we had given up, our fans never did.

“I just want to thank the coaches and the fans and my teammates for all of them giving me a great season at Liberty Hill for me to look back on it and smile and think of those memories.”

Parks and his Panthers teammates certainly generated a lot of positive memories this season, but the Liberty Hill hurler was quick to give thanks to an outside source of inspiration.

“Our team, we pray before every game and we’re a bunch of good kids,” Parks stated firmly. “Even though sometimes it seemed like we were riding the high life, and that we had earned it all, we really give all the glory back to God. I feel like we couldn’t have done anything if it wasn’t for Him being with us the entire season even if it didn’t go our way towards the end.”

No, it didn’t. But Matt Parks certainly did everything in his power to always give his Panthers a chance to win.

(Quint Cardwell Photo) Susie Kemper smiles with the Silver Medal she earned at the 3A state track & field meet Saturday (May 12) at UT's Mike A. Meyers Stadium. Kemper, a senior, has a pair of rolled-up University of Alabama socks in her right hand.

Cardwell, Green, Kemper and Waller-de la Rosa represent senior class well at state

By Chuck Licata

It’s the “End of an Era” for the Liberty Hill High School track & field program.

However, as Liberty Hill coach Julie Shaffer pointed out after Susie Kemper finished the 1,600-meter (mile) run at 2:50 p.m. Central time Saturday (May 12) at Mike A. Meyers Stadium, there is plenty of up-and-coming talent through the LHHS and LHJH pipeline.

This year’s state qualifiers – Kemper in the 800-meter run and 1,600-meter run; Jadon Durity-Boatright in the long jump and triple jump; Jessica Green in the high jump; and, Cameron Cardwell and Andrew Waller-de la Rosa in the 800-meter run – added three more state medals to last year’s haul of five state medals.

Kemper won the silver medal in the 1,600-meter run, Cardwell won a bronze in the 800 and Durity-Boatright grabbed a bronze in the triple jump as the Liberty Hill High School program enjoyed another “banner day” at the Class 3A state track meet.

“We’re very proud of all the kids who participated today,” stated overall program coach Jimmy Duncan, who heads up the boys program. “They all gave their best efforts and represented Liberty Hill in a great way.”

The following is a look at each 3A state participant during the meet, held Friday and Saturday (May 11-12) at Mike A. Meyers Stadium.

Susie Kemper - finished 2^nd (silver medal) in 1,600-meter run and 4^th in 800-meter run: 

(Quint Cardwell Photo) Susie Kemper (9) leads the pack during the mile run at the 3A state track meet.

Maybe it was appropriate Kemper, a senior who’s helped put Liberty Hill track and cross country on the map, ran the last race of the meet for Liberty Hill. She was also a symbol (to many) of the tremendous surge and success the 2012 graduating class made to both track & field and cross country.

Kemper was favored (in most people’s minds) to medal in both events – including the defense of her 3A state title in the 1,600-meter run.

The 800-meter run, which took place early Saturday afternoon, was a close race from start to finish. The start featured Susie but ended up highlighting eventual winner Rossina Ortega of Fort Worth Castelberry and Danielle Rodriguez (Lyford) and Laura Henry (Prosper), who just beat out Kemper at the finish line for a medal-stand finish.

Kemper ran out to a quick start with Ortega and they stayed 1-2 for the first lap. She dropped back to third at the first turn of Lap 2, then found herself in a battle for second, third and fourth with Rodriguez and Henry. This time, however, Kemper (who finished the race with 2:17.40) didn’t have enough of a “kick” at the end and also got trapped in a “pack” at the end with no place to pass either girl in front of her.

Ortega won in a time of 2:15.90; Rodriguez was second in 2:17.00; and, Henry was third in 2:17.30.

“I got caught up in the pack at the end,” stated Kemper on the finish of the 800. “Still, I didn’t run my best race then. “I didn’t really know too many girls in this race and what they could do.”

Kemper then geared up for defense of her state title in the mile (1,600-meter) run a couple hours later. That race featured her battle against Katie Ruhala (Lucas Lovejoy), whom Kemper passed on the last turn in 2011 to take the race.

After the first lap of the four-lap race, Kemper and Danielle Androes (Prosper) were tied for the lead; Ruhala joined them down the backstretch. After Lap 2 (timed unofficially at 2:35.05), there were four girls within thre steps of each other.

Kemper grabbed the lead at the end of Lap 3 with Brittany Adams (Brookshire Royal) second and Androes third. The three stayed within stride down the backstretch. Going into the final turn, all three started to sprint. Adams fell off the pace set by Kemper and Moreno.

Moreno had a little more kick down the front stretch, beating Kemper 0.28 of a second (5:10.07 for Moreno; 5:10.35 for kemper) at the finish line.

“I was motiviated for the mile after finishing fourth in the 800,” Kemper said after receiving her silver medal. “I felt we were running at a good pace the whole race. I wasn’t too concerned about what (place) I was in until the final lap. If I was in front then, I knew I had a chance.

“I still felt good going into the last turn. She just had that extra ‘gear’ when we started sprinting to the finish line.”

Kemper wore University of Alabama socks for her two races; she’ll be donning “Roll Tide” gear for the next four years.

“It hasn’t settled in yet that I just ran my last race for Liberty Hill High School,” Kemper stated. “It’s been a great experience at Liberty Hill. I’m so thankful to everyone – my coaches, teachers, teammates – for everything I’ve had and experienced. Liberty Hill is a great community.”

Boys’ 800-meter run – Cameron Cardwell, third place (bronze medal); Andrew Waller-de la Rosa, sixth place: 

(Quint Cardwell Photo) Cameron Cardwell (left) and Andrew Waller-de la Rosa enjoy a moment after the 3A state track meet. Cardwell is wearing his bronze medal after finishing 3rd; Waller finished sixth.

The two LHHS seniors will be forever linked in the minds of many who followed LHHS track and cross country the past three years.

“It’s a great class of runners and I feel we accomplished a lot,” Cardwell stated. “We enjoyed success but we also worked hard for it. Robert Koepl convinced me to run my sophomore year. I appreciate him for that and he, along with many others, were great teammates and influences.”

Those others included the likes of Nik Crozier, Brian Cantwell and Mitchell Germann, among others.

“It’s been a great time with great people and great teammates,” Waller-de la Rosa said Saturday afternoon. “I remember our first trip to state, both in cross country and track. We all had a great chemistry; we always pushed each other and (enjoyed) each other’s successes, no matter what we did personally.

“I’m very proud of Cameron. He ran as hard as he could – he really gave it everything he had in that race.”

So much so, he was throwing up after stretching across the finish line in third place.

“I’m not sure if that was from heat exhuastion or dehydration,” Cardwell chuckled on Sunday afternoon. “I appreciate all the (medics) at the meet who took care of me. They were attentive and really helped me get through it.”

(Quint Cardwell Photo) Cameron Cardwell displays the bronze medal he won at the 800-meter run at the 3A state meet.

Cardwell was the true definition of an athlete “leaving everything out on the track.”  He started quickly (“It seemed like an incredibly fast pace at the start,” he recalled) holding fourth place in a pack at the front; Waller-de la Rosa was sixth at the start. After the first of two laps, Cardwell was fourth and Waller-de la Rosa remained sixth.

On the first turn of Lap 2, Cardwell stayed with the lead pack while Waller fell back to seventh place. Down the backstretch Cardwell started moving up as the first four separated themselves from the rest of the field. The runners went stride-for-stride going into the final turn.

“Basically I came around and looked for Rios,” Cardwell recalled. “I put myself on the outside shoulder of Chris Ibarra (Atlanta High School) so no one would pass me on the outside. Running with Rios, we both passed Jesse Montgomery (Dallas Madison) and stayed in that formation.”

At that point all four runners went into a sprint. Chris Ibarra (Atlanta High School) crossed the line first in a time of 1:52.45. Raymond Rios (Lubbock Estacado) was second at 1:53.82 while Cardwell beat out Montgomery for the bronze, with Cardwell setting a new LHHS school record at 1:54.36.

“I ran the fastest race I ever have,” Cardwell concluded. “I wanted to go to state and was fortunate to run my best-ever time. That was great.

“I’m not sure if I’m running in college, so I wanted to rise to the challenge of making my (last high school race) a memorable one. It’s a great feeling.”

Jessica Green, tie for 4^th-place in high jump: 

(Quint Cardwell Photo) Jessica Green is introduced to the crowd at the 3A state meet. Green finished 4th in the high jump event.

This certainly wasn’t the finish LHHS senior Jessica Green expected or wanted.

Green, who claimed a bronze in last year’s high jump, came in riding the momentum of being named District 25-3A co-MVP for Liberty Hill’s state semifinal girls’ basketball team.

But this day wasn’t meant for Green of six other competitors as six of the nine – including Green – missed on three jump attempts at 5 feet, 6 inches. Green tied Kaylyn Schults (Celina) for fourth place at 5-foot-4.

Paula Smith (Waco Connally) eventually went on to win by clearing 5-7; Ashley Johnson (Silsbee) and Kara Erickson (Paris North Lamar) claimed the silver and bronze medal, respectively.

“I felt really good after clearing 5-foot-4,” Green stated. “In fact, that jump was one of my best ever. I wish I could have replicated that at 5-6 but just didn’t have the ‘pop’ I needed to clear the bar. I just couldn’t find enough at 5-6.

“I wasn’t nervous, maybe just a little anxious. It’s comforting to know I’m continuing my track and field career (at Colorado State University, where she’ll join her brother Justin). I really enjoyed my time at Liberty Hill High School – I feel I accomplished a lot in my career. I’m also very thankful to my parents, teachers, coaches, teammates and friends for making (high school) a great experience.”

Jadon Durity-Boatright, 9^th in long jump and 3^rd (bronze medal) in triple jump: 

(Pam Cardwell Photo) Jadon Durity-Boatright enjoys a family moment after winning the bronze medal in the triple jump at the 3A state meet. Pictured (l-r) Randy Boatright, Jadon, Melissa Boatright, Bryce Boatright (7 years old) and Ty Boatright.

The multi-talented Durity-Boatright (a junior) made his first appearnce at state for both the long jump and triple jump. He participated in both events on Friday – the same day his LHHS baseball teammates opened their 3A area playoff series against Yoakum.

Jadon’s day began right after noon Friday with the long jump event.

“I wasn’t all there,” Durity-Boatright said as he explained his nith-place finish in the event. “I couldn’t get my mark. I went off the wrong foot (he fouled twice) and I just didn’t have it together.

“I just think I didn’t have the energy at that time but was also messing up my steps and my approach.”

Six-plus hours later on Friday night, Durity-Boatright was in a better frame of mind for the triple jump.

“Going into the last jump, I thought I was in 10th place,” Jadon stated. “I sat and looked around (before that last jump); people were watching me and cheering for me and that gave me a big boost. I was relaxed and went and did what I needed to do.”

He certainly did.

(Pam Cardwell Photo) Jadon Durity-Boatright competes in the long jump during the 3A state meet.

Durity-Boatright’s best jump was 46 feet, 2.5 inches going into his final attempt. However, the crowd’s enthusiasm and his own adrenaline pushed him to a jump of 47 feet and a half-inch. That was good enough for third place – and a spot on the medals stand.

“I didn’t feel like I jumped 47 feet,” Durity-Boatright recalled. “When I got back to Coach Headrick and I heard them announce 47 and a half; we were both excited and relieved.

“To be on the medal stand and get the bronze medal – that was pretty awesome, knowing you were there with the other athletes on the medal stand. Totally awesome.”

Durity-Boatright was able to join the LHHS baseball team on Saturday for their area series against Yoakum. Unfotunately the Panthers lost the series, two games to one.

“That’s a bummer for baseball,” Jadon added. “We could have played better but that’s how it worked out.”

Still, Durity-Boatright will never forget his trip to the state meet – that is, until he qualifies again next year.

“It was truly awesome,” the multi-sport star exclaimed. “The atmopshere of being around a big crowd and having so many people watching you is awesome.

“I look to get back to state next year – and, not only get back to state, but win state.”

(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) Paige Lafferty ripped a clutch RBI single in the 5th inning, tying the game at 1-1 and helping LHHS earn a 2-1, 8-inning playoff win over Fredericksburg

Lady Panthers beat Fredericksburg, play Sweeny in Region IV semis

By Chuck Licata

It’s the month of May, but the Liberty Hill High School softball team continues to believe it’s “March.”

As in, a “march” through the UIL Class 3A playoffs – one game at a time, literally.

Charice Hankins’ Lady Panthers beat Fredericksburg, 2-1 in eight innings, Friday (May 11) at Marble Falls High School. The win pushed Liberty Hill (23-8) into the Region IV semifinals against the Sweeny Lady Bulldogs: Game 1 will be this Friday at 7 p.m., Game 2 will be Saturday at 1 p.m. and, if necessary, Game 3 will be right after Game 2. All games will be played at La Grange High School.

(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) Kourtney Bevers slides safely into third base against Fredericksburg. Bevers scored the winning run in a 2-1, 8-inning victory.

“This was a tough one and I’m glad it’s over,” stated a relieved Hankins after the win over Fredericksburg. “They played well early, scoring their run in the top of the first. But our pitching was outstanding; we only gave up one hit after the first inning.

“Our hitting could have been better; we left too many runners on base. But we pulled through when we needed to so now we’ll get ready for the next round.”

Pulling through for Liberty Hill was Bailey Browder, who grounded an infield single off the glove of FHS first baseman Amber Rendon in the bottom of the eighth, scoring Kourtney Bevers from third base with the winning run.

Bevers threw the first six innings from the pitching circle for Liberty Hill, giving up just the one first-inning run on four total hits, including three in the first. Bevers walked two, hit one batter and struck out eight over six innings.

Freshman Samantha Junkin started the seventh inning for LHHS with the score tied at one. She walked Ali LaRatta, got Emily Wenzel to erase LaRatta off the basepaths on a fielder’s choice, saw Wenzel thrown out on a caught stealing by catcher Kyli Herman, then retired Kaylee Olfers on a line shot back to the circle. Junkin then retired Fredericksburg in order in the top of the eighth.

Trailing 1-0, Lorrie Potts singled with one out in the bottom fo the fifth. She moved to second on a misplayed relay throw although Herman was out at first. Paige Lafferty, who leads the team in RBI this season, produced yet again, slapping an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.

(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) Samantha Junkin has picked up two pitching victories in the 2012 playoffs thus far.

That’s how it stayed until Bevers reached base on an error to lead off the eighth. She moved to second on a fly out by Paige Holland, then moved to third on a passed ball on the first pitch to Browder.

The right-handed hitting Browder then drilled a grounder that Rendon went for, moving to her right. Second baseman Maddie Johnston did grab the grounder off Rendon’s glove but no one was at first base to throw to; thus, Browder was safe, as was Bevers, who scored the winning run.

Photo Courtesy of Abarw.com/Allison Weirich

Bulldogs win area series against Panthers, 2-1

By Chuck Licata and Merle Bertrand

Liberty Hill High School teams just have to quit playing Yoakum High School teams at Cedar Creek High School in Bastrop.

The LHHS Lady Panthers fell to the Yoakum Lady Bulldogs in the Region IV area championship series, two games to none, during last year’s UIL playoffs. This season, it was Mike Kristan’s baseball Panthers who took on the baseball version of the Bulldogs – at the CCHS baseball field.

True to form, the Panthers lost the series.

Kristan’s crew finished the year with 19 wins (19-9-1 overall) to go along with the District 25-3A title.

Liberty Hill fell hard in Game 1 of the series Friday night (May 11) by a 5-1 score as the Panthers were no-hit by Yoakum sophomore Adam Hunter. They bounced back for a 2-0 win in Game 2 before falling 5-1 in Game 3.

“If you don’t win it’s disappointing,” Kristan stated after the series. “We had great pitching all throughout the series. Yoakum was just better than we were this week. We only get to play 2-of-3; maybe it’s different if we play them 10 different times. Who knows.

“(Adam) Hunter was really good, no-hitting us (in Game 1). He then came in to close out Game 3. But our pitchers were great too, we just came out short on the end.”

Kristan, who will talk with Leader/LibertyHillSports.com reporter Merle Bertrand for a full season wrap-up article this week, then added: “I’m very appreciative of all the seniors, they worked very hard and our team improved each year since their sophomore year. We’re fortunate our teams keep getting better.”

The following is a game-by-game wrap up of the series.

(Photo by Abarw.com/Allison Weirich) The Panthers after winning the District 25-3A title a couple weeks ago.

Game 1: Yoakum 5, LHHS 1

The Liberty Hill Panthers had plenty of time to think about the 2012 playoffs. Maybe too much time – warm-up games notwithstanding – as the Panthers showed some jitters en route to a 5-1 loss against the Yoakum Bulldogs in Game 1 of their best-of-three area round playoff series.

The troubles started with a hit Yoakum batsman in the bottom of the first inning. After a fielder’s choice and a strike-out, it looked like the Panthers might escape unscathed. Unfortunately, a base hit followed by consecutive errors posted the Bulldogs to a quick 1-0 lead.

Three straight singles off Jake Ramirez loaded the bases in the Yoakum second inning before Bulldog shortstop Tim Blakeney knocked home two runs with the fourth straight single of the inning.

Following consecutive walks to set the table in the Yoakum third inning, Blake McCracken’s two-out triple plated Bulldog runs four and five.

Ramirez and the Panthers eventually settled down, but couldn’t recover from the early 5-0 deficit, largely because of Adam Hunter. The Yoakum ace fired a nine-strikeout, no-hit performance against a cold Liberty Hill offense. (Bryce Dallmeyer scored Liberty Hill’s lone run in the seventh inning on a walk, a passed ball and consecutive fielder’s choices.)

With the loss, the Panthers trailed the three-game series 1-0.

Game 2: LHHS 2, Yoakum 0

The Panthers came through in a must-win situation Saturday afternoon in Game 2.

Senior Matt Parks delivered with a 4-hit shoutout, striking out 10 and walking just two in the complete-game win. He outdueled Tim Blakeney, who gave up six hits and both runs while walking three and striking out eight.

The Panthers, who were the home team for this game, scored in the bottom of the first to take the only need it needed. Jadon Durity-Boatright, who won a bronze medal in the triple jump at the Class 3A state track and field meet Friday, returned to the team and sparked the squad with a single, back-to-back stolen bases then run scored on an RBI single by Bryce Dallmeyer.

Liberty Hill added an insurance run in the sixth as Dallmeyer reached on a single, moved to third on a single by Jacob Simons then scored on a Shayne Terry single.

Meantime, Parks and the Panthers’ defense was keeping the Bulldogs off guard. Only three times (including twice in the second inning) did a Yoakum runner reach second base. In the second, Adam Hunter was caught trying to steal home as Keith Ratley stole third base on a double-steal attempt. Ratley remained at third, however, as Parks struck out Taylor Nobles then induced Hogan Lauer into a bounce out to Terry at second base.

In the third, leadoff hitter Jeff Harrison singled and moved to second but was picked off by Parks, removing that threat.

Game 3: Yoakum 5, LHHS 1

The Panthers weren’t able to take advantage of scoring opportunities while the Bulldogs made the most of a four-run third inning, powering Yoakum to a 5-1 victory in the third and decisive game of the area playoff series. The Bulldogs moved on to play Fredericksburg in the Region IV quarterfinals.

The Panthers couldn’t take advantage of two-runners-on opportunities at the plate in the top of the first and fourth innings, finally tallying a single run in the fifth inning. Jadon Durity-Boatright slapped a two-out single on reliever Adam Hunter, stole second and came around on a bloop RBI single by T.J. Hillman.

The Panthers put two runners on in the sixth with two outs but couldn’t convert.

Meantime, the Bulldogs scored once in the second inning and four more times in the third inning, taking a commanding 5-0 lead.

Kristan and his staff saw that the LHHS seniors got into the game bringing in pinch-hitters and defensive replacements later in the game.

By Chuck Licata

Congratulations to the city of Liberty Hill.

Many in the community ran out and voted – exercising their rights to determine the leadership of the city by voting in Saturday’s elections.

Congratulations to all the candidates who ran – they believed their vision would be best for the city and they all put up a good campaign.

I believe the results of election show Liberty Hill is ready to take on the challenges of the short-term – and long-term – future.

I’ve worked with Jamie Williamson – the new Mayor of Liberty Hill – for a few years now. Seems like forever, but that’s a good thing.

Certainly, Jamie – who’s been a resident, business woman and cheerleader for Liberty Hill all her life – has her “detractors.” After all, when you’re in the business we’re in (media, broadcasting, etc.), you have no choice but to upset people and get people who disagree with most everything you do. It “comes with the job,” as they say.

In fact, I myself wasn’t Jamie’s biggest fan back in 2007 when I entered the Liberty Hill community as a writer for Diane and Dan Pogue, owners of the Independent. That, of course, was because Jamie was my competitor at the time.

Fast forward to summer of 2009 when Jamie and I became partners in our efforts to become a media “force” in the LH community. I have to admit, it was a little nerve-wracking joining forces with someone who’d been your “competition” the previous two-plus years.

However, Jamie showed her true character soon after we joined forces in two particular instances. First, was very helpful on the business/distribution end for the fall sports preview we put out that fall. So much so, she gave of her time freely and was invaluable for the effort – yet she never once asked, “What’s in this for me?”

Second, she was quick to fill me in on the history of the city. Obviously, my concentration of the sports side of things had made me unaware of a lot to do with Liberty Hill news and politics. Jamie saw that and believe it’d be in my best interest to keep up with such matters.

So since then, we have weekly metings where she and I exchange news, updates and ideas. And that is where I learned about the real Jamie Williamson.

Folks, I hope it shows in my writings how passionate I am about the Liberty Hill community. However, I can honestly say that my passion isn’t 1/10^th the amount of passion (and love) Jamie has for the Liberty Hill community.

She loves this city and its people. So much so, she wanted to take a direct hand in the city’s future by running for Mayor. The passion in her was so strong that she overlooked the possible ramifications of her losing the election. Think about it – she’s a prominent member of the community and her reputation would have been tarnished had she lost the election for Mayor. Not because of her opponent – Jack Harkrider is a respected member of the community and a very viable opponent.

But, Jamie is in that “front and center” city spotlight as Publisher of the Leader and curator for the Leader’s web site (www.lhleadernews.com). Any time someone in the public eye puts herself up for a public election, there’s always the threat and repurcussion of taking a “hit” to your public reputation if she loses.

But she was fortunate enough people here believed in her. She won the election – and I can personally attest the city of Liberty Hill is in great hands moving forward. Jamie’s love for Liberty Hill – and comittment to her new position – will become evident in the months tofollow.

I’ll stake whatever “public reputation” I may have on it.

The new officers for the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary were installed on April 3 and will take office in July.

In the photo, the third person from the left is Linda Towers, a member of the L.H. VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  She participated in the Honor Flight Program at Camp Mabry that helped raise over $600 for military veterans recently.

GARAGE SALE:  The Auxiliary will be having an indoor Garage Sale at the Post on May 18 and 19 (Friday and Saturday).  Come on over and shop in cool comfort.  There will be a wide variety of items from many families priced to SELL.

FLAGS ON GRAVES:  On Saturday, May 26, Post and Aux members along with local scouts, will be putting new American flags on the graves of veterans at the Liberty Hill Cemetery.

BUDDY POPPY DRIVE:  On Sunday, May 27, the Post and Aux will be having a Buddy Poppy Drive at the Walmart in Georgetown. Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans and all the proceeds are donated to help them.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY:  On May 28, there will be a public ceremony at the Wall of Honor in beautiful Veterans Park in downtown Liberty Hill.  Breakfast, which is free for everyone, will be served at 7 am and the ceremony will commence at 8 am.  Memorial Day is a day to remember all the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces.

By Merle Bertrand, Sportswriter

With a first round play-off bye and time on their hands to fill, the newly-minted District 25-3A Champion Liberty Hill Panthers took a pair of tune-up road trips to Troy High School last week.

Monday (April 30) featured a clash of district champions between the Panthers and the 8-3A champion West Trojans. The Panthers then returned to Troy on Friday night (May 4) to take on the host Trojans.

Below is a summary of both playoff tune-ups.

Panthers 1, Troy 8

The Liberty Hill Panthers’ second trip to the home of the Troy Trojans did not go as well as the first had just a few days before. This time, the hosts out of 16-2A took advantage of four Liberty Hill errors to hang an 8-1 loss on the Panthers.

After starter Matt Parks (5 strikeouts) gave way to Kannon Prier with one out in the third inning, the Panthers defense fell apart. Prier surrendered 6 runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth, although only one run was earned.

Tyler Barrows pitched a scoreless sixth inning for Liberty Hill.

Jacob Simons’ leadoff single in the seventh was the Panthers’ only hit of the game. Simons ultimately scored on a wild pitch for the Panthers’ only run of the night.

The loss dropped the Panthers to 18-7-1 heading into this weekend’s Area Round playoff series vs. Yoakum at Cedar Creek High School near Bastrop.

LHHS junior finishes second to McLain at regionals

By Chuck Licata

Lost among the strong senior classes at Liberty Hill High School is a junior class primed and ready to “take over the reigns” next school year.

LHHS tennis player Chesney Goza, a junior, continued Liberty Hill’s incredible post-season success for the 2011-12 athletic year as she finished second at last week’s Region IV tennis tournament in the singles competition, qualifying her for Monday’s Class 3A state tennis tournament.

Goza is expected to open the 3A singles competition Monday against Delaney Schroeder of Abilene Wylie at 9 a.m. at UT’s Penick-Allison Tennis Center, located at 1701 Trinity (Austin, 78705) on the University of Texas campus.

“Being a junior – it’s a little bit different being at state as a junior,” Goza stated. “I don’t’ know if going to state has sunk in yet. It’s like, ‘Oh hey, I’m going to state.’ I’m usually look forward to going to watch the state tounament, now I’m going to be on the other side of the court and actually playing.”

Goza made the “next step” from making the regional tournament last season and said the experience helped her this year.

“Last year my playing peaked at regionals,” Goza recalled. “This year I started playing like I should at the end of the district season. Thus, I notched up my level of play and practiced more – I was working and practicing at 100 percent by the end of regular season.

“As for the difference between last year and this year I was more prepared for what regionals was going to be like.”

Goza won three of four matches at the Region IV championships, losing only to Allison McLain of Rockport-Fulton in the regional final.

“Right now I feel like I’m playing my best tennis ever,” Goza remarked. “You go through swings of hitting and playing well, and when you’re not playing your best and hitting the ball well. Plus, the competition you play can put more pressure on you.

“If you’re playing someone who’s not at your skill level, you may not take them as serious as you should; you tend to relax. If you’re playing someone at your skill level, you know you have to match them shot-for-shot. That gets pretty intense.”

As would most anyone who qualifies for a state tournament, Goza said her appearance at state has been helped by many folks.

“Coach (Anthony)Escobar haas been a big help,” Goza said. “Coaches can talk to you during changeovers (during a tennis match) and he will talk to me about what I might be doing wrong, or offer encouragement. He helps keep me focused during the matches.

“Jory Ereckson (Director of Tennis at Berry Creek Country Club in Georgetown) has really helped me. He’s more of a technical coach for me; he’s helped me out a lot with my whole game in general.”