The Temple College Leopards opened North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play on Wednesday afternoon as they traveled to Vernon College.

The Leopards gained a doubleheader split with the Chaparrals. TC won the first game, 4-2, and Vernon held off the Leopards having won 6-5.

Chase Fricke had a triple, and Wade Stallones, Peanut Brazzle, and Kash Millar each had a run batted in during the opening game.

Payton Reynolds picked up the win on the hill. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowed two runs on four hits, five strikeouts, and three walks. Carson Henderson picked up the save as he pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowed two hits, and struck out four.

Stallones and Fricke had two hits each, with Fricke having driven in two runs and Stallones having scored two.

Thomas Perez took the loss on the hill. He pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, walked two, and struck out one. Bralen Veazey pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowed an unearned run on three hits, stuck out one, and walked. Aden Redlich pitched two innings of relief and walked one.

The teams will complete their four-game series with a doubleheader at the Danny Scott Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, with the opening game's first pitch at 12 pm.