Fayetteville Bashes D’Hanis in Game 1 of Regional Final

Fayetteville was knocked out of the baseball playoffs last season by D’Hanis, but things are looking pretty good for the Lions right now in their rematch against the Cowboys.

The Lions won Game 1 of their best-of-three series 11-1 in five innings Tuesday in San Marcos.

“We battled. In the top of the first it wasn’t looking good,” said Fayetteville head coach Clint Jaeger. “They led 1-0 and had runners on second and third with no outs. Them only scoring one was huge, and we answered and answered again.”

The series resumes Thursday at 7 p.m. at Texas State, with a potential Game 3 Friday at 7 p.m. at Texas State.

A win in either of those games vaults the Lions back to the state tournament, where they won it all in 2021 with several players that are still on the team two years later.

The 1A state baseball tournament begins Wednesday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

A big key in Tuesday’s victory was a stellar pitching performance by sophomore Chance Konvicka, who hurled a complete game two-hitter with six strikeouts.

“He kept finding ways to get out of trouble and got better as the night went on,” jaeger said.

Offensively, the Lions were led by freshman Jack Schley, who drove in three runs.

Fayetteville had five hits Tuesday, one each by Schley, Logan Fritsch, Lawson Fritsch, Reid Gross, and Travis Gully. The Lions also drew seven walks.

“They were kind of wild,” Jaeger said of the D’Hanis pitching. “We waited for our pitch and took free bases.”

D’Hanis is expected to start their ace pitcher in Game 2, while Fayetteville will counter with Schley.

Fayetteville now has an 18-6 overall record.