The Bearcats enter the matchup with a 42-5 overall record and a perfect 10-0 district mark after winning District 5-5A Division I. McKinney North enters at 30-9 overall and 10-4 in District 9-5A Division I.

Aledo took control of the series Thursday night with a dominant 12-2 win in Game 1, ending the matchup in 4.5 innings by UIL run rule. After a scoreless first inning, the Bearcats erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the second and added five more in the bottom of the third. McKinney North answered with two runs in the top of the fourth, but Aledo’s early offensive explosion proved too much to overcome.

The Bulldogs used six pitchers in the Game 1 loss, including three different arms during Aledo’s seven-run second inning. On the other side, LSU commit Lucas Nawrocki set the tone on the mound for the Bearcats before Aledo finished the night with a relief appearance in the fifth.

Now, the defending 5A Division I State Champions have a chance to close the door in Game 2 and secure a return trip to Dell Diamond in Round Rock for the state championship round. McKinney North will be looking to extend the series and force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Saturday at noon.

Aledo enters Game 2 undefeated in playoff play at 9-0, while McKinney North is 8-2 this postseason. With a state championship berth on the line, the Bearcats will look to carry the same offensive pressure and pitching control from Game 1 into today’s matchup.

Listen live to the City of Aledo Summer Blast Broadcast of Aledo vs. McKinney North Game 2 on NTX Varsity Sports, with pregame coverage beginning at 4:45 PM and first pitch scheduled for 5:00 PM from Dallas Baptist University. NTX Varsity Sports will be broadcasting live from the Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth Broadcast Table as the Bearcats look to punch their ticket back to the state championship.