Eagle Staff Report

The Brazos Valley Bombers took an early one-run lead but couldn't hold off the East Texas Pump Jacks on Friday in Game 1 of the TCL divisional playoffs.

East Texas used runs in the fourth and fifth inning to take the lead and added an insurance run in the ninth to win 4-2 at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark.

Game 2 is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at East Texas' Driller Park in Kilgore.

The Bombers had to win Thursday on the final day of the regular season to earn their playoff spot, and they appeared ready for the bigger stage early Friday. East Texas scored a run in the top of the first, but Brazos Valley answered Jacob House's two-run double to take a 2-1 lead.

Brazos Valley starter Michael Hilliard maintained the lead until the fourth when East Texas' Seth Granger led off with a single and eventually scored to tie the game. The Pump Jacks took the lead for good in the fifth when Kirby Pellant drew a leadoff walk and later scored on an error.

In the other TCL divisional series, the Acadiana Cane Cutters beat the Coppel Copperheads 3-2 in Game 1 in Youngsville, La.

Also on Friday, Brazos Valley's Damien Rivera was named the TCL's pitcher of the year, while teammate Trey Porras was named the league's top first baseman. Garrett Shepperd also was named one of the league's best relievers. Rivera went 7-0 with a 2.01 ERA during the regular season. Porras led the league in hitting with a .344 batting average. Shepperd had 11 saves with a 1.42 ERA, striking out 19 in 19 2/3 innings.