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Plano survives duel of left-handed aces to claim a share of 10-5A crown

ALLEN — Allen pitcher Troy Chezem and Plano counterpart Kenneth Tabor were locked in Thursday night.

The dueling left-handers each gave up two hits and no runs through seven innings, but it was Chezem who blinked first in extra innings.

Michael Crawford led off the eighth with a double and scored on Chezem’s throwing error after a Connor Brady sacrifice bunt. It was the only run Plano needed in a 1-0 victory to claim a share of the District 10-5A crown.

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“What a great game,” Plano coach Rick Robertson said. “All through the game it was an exciting game to be a part of, especially with what was on the line. It’s even better, of course, to win it.”

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Allen (18-8-4, 10-5) could have won its first outright district title since 2006 with a win. Instead, with victories by Plano and Plano West on Thursday, the teams are in a three-way tie for first.

Robertson said he expects Plano (18-12, 10-5) and Allen to meet again Saturday morning, and the winner will play Plano West for the top seed in the playoffs.

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Tabor finished with a flourish in the eighth, striking out the first two batters and getting Mason McWilliams to fly out to end the game. He gave up two hits, no walks, no runs and struck out seven in eight innings.

“My fastball and slider were keeping them off-balance,” Tabor said. “Coming into the game, I felt like everything was working.”

Chezem gave up only the one unearned run, three hits and had 10 strikeouts. Cole Carter was the only Allen player to reach base. He singled twice and reached on an error. Crawford, who scored the game’s lone run, went 2-for-2 with a double.

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Plano West 5, Plano East 2: Kosuke Nishitani went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run to lead Plano West to a 10-5A win. Aaron Draper and Blake Bruce each added one hit and one RBI for West.

Follow David Just on Twitter at @DavidJustDMN.