Argyle tops Lubbock Cooper in Game 3 to reach second straight state tournament

The Eagles saw a run of 12 consecutive district championships snapped this season when they finished runner-up to Grapevine in District 7-5A. They also faced elimination at least once in four of their first five playoff series, including this week’s regional final against Lubbock Cooper.

Argyle found a way to win every time, most recently taking Game 3 over Cooper on Saturday by a score of 5-3 in eight innings.

The victory gave Argyle its sixth state tournament appearance in the last nine seasons, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Saturday’s game was a microcosm of the Eagles’ season and playoff run in general as they fell into an early hole before rallying to ultimately prevail.

Colton Roquemore gave them the first lead as he scored on an error by the first baseman in the top of the first inning. They quickly fell behind, though, as Cooper answered with three runs in the bottom half on an RBI single and two-run double.

Argyle (34-10-2) chipped into the deficit in the third as Roquemore scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Grady Emerson before tying it up in the sixth as Hunter Sandifer singled in Park Prater.

The game remained tied through seven innings before Roberts eventually scored after a single by Prater, then Conor Lillis singled in Prater to set the final margin. Cooper went down in order in the bottom half.

With the win, Argyle is set to compete in next week’s 5A state tournament at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Its opponent and game time are to be announced, but the two semifinals are scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 8.

The 5A state championship game is scheduled for a noon first pitch on June 10 back at Dell Diamond.