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AUSTIN, Texas (KFDA) - The Canyon Eagles fell in the state semifinal game to the Liberty-Eylau Leopards 3-1 on Wednesday.

The Eagles struck first in the first inning as Jacob Burris sent an RBI single into right field to put Canyon up 1-0.

After a strong start to the game from junior pitcher Colt Cruth, Liberty-Eylau finally broke through in the third inning. The Leopards plated three runs in the third as Britain Pipes got the rally going by tying the game up at 1-1 with an RBI single of his own.

The Leopards next two runs in the inning came courtesy of a wild pitch and a sacrifice ground out to put them in control with a 3-1 lead.

That score held over the next several innings as Cam Gamble and Zabien Urteaga both starred on the mound for the two state finalists. Gamble held the Eagles scoreless in 5.1 innings of work, allowing just three hits and three walks. Urteaga matched that performance after he came into the game in relief of Cruth for Canyon. The star junior pitched four innings of scoreless baseball himself, giving up only four hits and walking none.

Canyon had one final chance in the bottom of the seventh. After a leadoff single by Noah Sanchez to put the tying run at the plate, a Christian McGuire ground out into a double play and an Urteaga fly out ended the game and sent Liberty-Eylau to the 4A state championship game.

The Eagles end the season with a 30-9-1 record, still reaching great heights as the team made their first state tournament appearance in over 20 years. Much of the Canyon roster will be back next year including Cruth, Urteaga, Burris, and star sophomore Carson Allen among others. The team will, however, be under new leadership as head coach John Doan will retire after 21 years with the team.