Argyle Edges Lovejoy 2-1 in 5A D-2 State Baseball Semifinal Game One

A two-run error in the third inning was all Argyle needed. The Eagles scratched out a 2-1 victory over Lovejoy in Game 1 of the 5A Division II state baseball semifinal, leaning on the kind of gritty, opportunistic baseball that has defined their season — so much so that the team had practice shirts made featuring the "Scrappy Doo" character.

With the bases loaded and no outs in the third, DJ Denney hit a slow grounder to third. The throw home to try for the force got away from the catcher, and two runs scored to put Argyle up 2-0. Lovejoy answered in the top of the fourth when Ben Reinhard hit a deep fly ball to right-center — caught, but deep enough to score Carson Branch from third and cut the deficit to 2-1.

Lovejoy had a chance to do more damage with runners on second and third and one out, but Branch made a diving catch on a Jack Snakenberg liner and doubled off the runner at second to end the threat and keep the score at 2-0 at the time.

Snakenberg then took over from the mound and never let go. He went the full seven innings, recorded three strikeouts, and did not allow another run. It was the kind of complete-game effort that playoff runs are built on. Argyle takes Game 1, 2-1.