LIBERTY PLAYING FOR ANOTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

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Liberty holds on to beat Iowa Park in Class 4A state semifinals

All Liberty needed was one big inning from its bats.

The Panthers started connecting at the plate in the third frame and held on in the clutch for a 5-3 victory over Iowa Park in the UIL Class 4A state semifinals Thursday evening at Red and Charline McCombs Field in Austin.

Liberty (37-6), the defending state champion, will take on Sweeny (31-9) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Red and Charline McCombs Field in Austin.

Sweeny defeated Bullard 8-1 in the other semifinal contest.

Liberty is aiming for its third title in the past four completed seasons. The Panthers won their first championship in 2018 and last season won another state championship last year.

Sweeny is seeking the second title in program history after winning the 3A crown in 1996. The Bulldogs are making their fourth state appearance overall.

This will mark the ninth time since softball became a UIL sport in 1993 that two Houston-area teams will face off in the state title game. The most recent came in 2019 when Katy defeated Klein Collins for the 6A title.