GRAND PRAIRIE – The Carroll Dragons’ playoff ride came to an end Friday at QuikTrip Park.
The Dragons suffered a 4-1 loss and were swept by the Martin Warriors in the Class 5A Region I finals. Carroll lost the series opener 2-1. The Dragons finished the season 34-6 and fell in the region final to Martin for the second consecutive year. Martin advances to the state semifinals in Round Rock.
Carroll’s offense struggled to produce a rally against Martin starter Turner Larkins. The Dragons were held to four hits, including two singles by first baseman Nic Motley.
Meanwhile, Dragon sophomore starter Ben Leeper kept his team close, holding the Warriors in check until the sixth inning. Martin rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the sixth with four runs. The Warriors had five hits in the game. Leeper went six innings and had strikeouts and four walks.