Liberty County was swept on the diamond Friday while hosting Burke County in a double-header. The games were Region 3-AAAA contests.
The Bears won 5-0 and 7-3.
Panther Colby Rhea pitched six innings in the first game.
Rhea struck out 10 Bears, walked two and gave up only one earned run. Aric Albertson pitched the last inning. Panthers Jacari Roberts and Dylan Gamble were both 1 for 3 in game 1. Burke County pitcher Bo Goodin kept the Panthers at bay, tossing 13 strikeouts for the win.
The Panthers gave up runs on fielding errors.
In between games the state title winning Panther boys’ basketball team were recognized by the baseball team and fans.
Panther basketball coach Julian Stokes threw the ceremonial first pitch for game two.
For the start of game 2, the Bears picked up right where they left off in the first game, driving in six runs off hits and errors in the first inning. Liberty finally scored a run in the second and two more in the sixth. Burke County’s Bill Knight took the win, striking out eight.
The Panthers are 0-2 in the region and 4-6 overall.
Liberty hosts Thomson on Thursday for another region doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.