Hallsville Punches Ticket to State Tournament With 6-0 Shutout of Mansfield Legacy

MESQUITE – Coby Weaver proved the Hallsville Bobcats will enter the state baseball tournament with a one-two punch off the mound.

Weaver was dominant from the first pitch Saturday as Hallsville completed a sweep over Mansfield Legacy, 6-0, in the Class 4A Region II finale to lift the Bobcats to its first state tournament appearance.

The junior left-hander struck out 10 and gave up his first hit in the fifth inning in the seven-inning shutout at Tillery Field.

He was backed up at the plate as Hallsville jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead after the first inning. Hallsville added an insurance run in the third frame before a three-run fifth sealed the trip to state.

Jacob Walker singled to start the game and finished 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot. Austin Blakeley added a pair of RBI singles and Logan Bailey had a two-run double for Hallsville, who will go to Round Rock with a 34-4 season mark.

Weaver struck out the side in the top of the first.

Walker ripped a single and Connor Reich followed two batters later with a base knock. Bailey put the Bobcats ahead for good with a two-out double.

Lance Lassen singled and moved to third on a passed ball and flyout in the third before scoring on single from Blakeley.

Legacy’s Sam Mahofski led off the fifth with a single -- breaking up Weaver’s no-hit bid -- and the Broncos put two in scoring position after Weaver’s second and final free pass.

However, he quickly ended the threat with his 10th strikeout and a flyout to Lassen in right field.

Again, Walker led of the fifth inning with his second single, Reich worked a walk and Blakeley followed with his second-straight RBI single. Reich came in to score on a Bronco error and Colton Oberthier added an RBI of his own on a sacrifice fly for the 6-0 Hallsville win.