The Canton Eagles entered last week’s series against the Bullard Panthers riding high, having knocked off District 13-4A champions Nevada Community in bi-district round play.

Bullard would go on to get the better of the Eagles in game one of the series May 12, edging Canton 5-0 despite being outhit in the contest.

Play between the two teams was evenly matched in the early going with no runs scored in either of the first two innings. Bullard would strike for three in the third before adding insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings to secure the win.

Peyton Stewart got the starting nod for Canton in the contest, allowing five hits and four earned runs over four innings of work. Kaden Smith pitched the game’s final three innings, allowing a hit and an unearned run.

Seven different Eagle hitters would post a hit in the contest, including a double from Ace Reese and singles from EJ Dyke, Layne Etheridge, Colton Whitehead, Jaxon Rhyne, Kaden Smith and Creede Herchman.

Game two of the series would prove to be a heartbreaker for the Eagles as Bullard stormed back late to secure a 7-5 win.

Canton’s offense came out hot, plating runs in each of the first three innings to stake the Eagles to a 5-2 lead. That score would remain unchanged until the bottom of the sixth when Bullard pushed across five runs to take a lead that they would not surrender for the remainder of the night.

Layne Etheridge fell victim to a shaky night in the field for Canton, allowing eight hits and three earned runs (seven runs total) in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Kaden Smith came on to pitch the final 2/3 innings without allowing a baserunner.

Offensive leaders for Canton in the contest included Creede Herchman going 2/3 with an RBI, Ace Reese going 2/4 with a double and two runs scored, Reed Vannorsdel going 1/4 with 2 RBI, Peyton Stewart going 1/3 with an RBI, EJ Dyke going 1/4, Layne Etheridge going 1/3 and Kaden Smith going 1/3.

With their series win, the Panthers are now scheduled to take on Liberty-Eylau in the Regional Quarterfinals. The Leopards finished district play as the runners-up in District 15-4A before knocking off Henderson in three games during the bi-district round and Brownsboro in two games during the Area round.