STEPHENVILLE — After spending all week cleaning up from a devastating EF-1 tornado that hit town on Sunday, it would have been easy for the Gordon baseball team to just go on cruise control in the opening game of its best-of-three Region II-1A championship series against Perrin-Whitt on Thursday night.

Instead, the Longhorns showed the same focus, drive and determination that has been on display all week, riding a nine-run first inning to a 13-2 win at Stephenville High School.

It was an effort that got to Longhorn coach Ligon West.