Salado Eagles scored five runs in the eighth inning to put away the Geronimo Navarro Panthers in the first of their best-of-three series in the regional quarterfinals.

Grant Taylor led off the eighth inning with the game tied 3-3 with a single to left. Peyton Kyburz laid down a sacrifice bunt to move courtesy runner Jake Harvey to second.

Garrett Lightfoot hit a double to left to score the runner. Lightfoot stole third and Ryan Oakes walked to put runners at the corners. A walk to Drew Dobbins loaded the bases. Cody Wolf hit a two-run double to left. Jacob Wilk followed with a two-run double to right before the final out was recorded.

With a five point lead in his pocket, reliever Cody Wolf tossed ttwo strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth. He gave up one hit, a single to Walter, who went to second on a passed ball but was caught trying to steal third base for the final out.

Salado took an early lead in the game in the top of the first. Dobbins walked and went to to second on a groundout by Wolf. He scored on a hard grounder over second baes for a single by Wilk.

Navarro tied the game in the biottom of the first. Herrera reached on an error and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ripke. He scored on a grounder to first by Walter.

Navarro took a two-run lead in the third. Wallace was hit by the pitcher. Stephens reached on an error.Wallace stole third and a asacrifice bunt by Herrera put Wallace out trying to get home in a well-defended squeeze play.  Ripke grounded out for the secon d out, putting runners at second and third. A single to left scored both runners for the 3-1 lead.

Wilk homered to lead off the sixth for Salado. Chase Basham reached on an error by the Navarro first baseman. Courtesy runner Tate Harvey went to second  on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an error by the Navarro’s shortstop to tie the game at 3-3.

The Eagles and Panthers play again at 7 p.m. May 20 at Georgetown East View High. A third game, if necessary, is set for 1 p.m. May 21.