ROUND ROCK — The Clifton Cubs finished as State Runners-up in their first trip to the UIL Baseball State Tournament.
The Cubs lost the 3A State Championship Game 5-4 in 10 innings to the Beckville Bearcats in heartbreaking fashion Saturday.
The Bearcats extended the game with a run scoring shot to left field with two outs in the bottom of the 7th. In the 10th, a ground ball through the infield won the game for Beckville.
Clifton struck first, on a Fisher Pitts single which scored Carter Guinn from second. In the 3rd, the Cubs added a run when Edgar Rodriguez hit a single into left field which scored Colby Caniford.
In the Bearcat half of the 4th, an error, a walk and a single eventually gave Beckville a 3-2 lead.
Clifton re-gained momentum in the 6th when Mason Brandenberger walked, Riley Perry reached on an error. Hunter Ringo hit an infield single scoring two runs to re-take the lead.
The Cubs kept momentum going into the bottom of the 7th up 4-3, until Beckville tied the game on a throwing error to force extra innings.
Both teams left several runners stranded during the 8th and 9th innings. In the 10th, Clifton left the bases loaded.
The Bearcats ripped a triple to start their half of the 10th before eventually loading the bases with nobody out.
Carter Guinn made a beautiful throw at shortstop from his knees to get the lead runner for the first out but the next batter hit a ground ball out of the infield to end the season.
The Cubs finished the 2018 season 30-7-1 with eight graduating seniors.