Breaking the impasse is at the top of the baseball team’s (18-5) to-do list tonight, as they look to even the score with the Sherman Bearcats, who defeated the Leopards 5-0 Tuesday night. Lovejoy is currently in first place in district play, and are very close to playoff contention.

“Earlier this week, we kind of played down to their level, and they got us in the end.” Senior Colton Laurence said.

Sherman drew first blood with two runs in the first inning, and the Leopards never recovered. With the offense held off by Sherman’s Blaise Bentsen’s four hit, complete game shutout, the defense faltered late in the game, allowing Sherman to add three more to their tally.

Head Coach Jason Wilson acknowledged the team’s place in the District standings, as well as the need for a victory.

“We need a win tonight,” Wilson said. “This is a big game. We’re one game up in first in the standings, and we only need another win or two to clinch playoffs, so every win is big right now.”

Wilson hopes that the team learned from Tuesday’s loss, and improves upon their shortcomings tonight.

“I hope they stay in the middle of the field more with their at-bats, and more in the gaps,” Wilson said. “I hope we control the plate more, have more discipline with balls and strikes, and just have timely hits. If we do those things, we’ll come out OK.”

Laurence is also hopeful that the team can bounce back, and prove itself as the best team in district.

“This week we’re looking to get back on track,” Laurence said. “We’re first in district right now, so we’re trying to get back to playing like we know we can.”

Game time is 7:30 p.m. at home tonight. Senior Jordan Yoder will be starting.