The Coppell Cowboys opened district play Wednesday night at Hawk Field against the Hebron Hawks in a game dominated early by strong pitching and difficult weather conditions.

Entering the game with a 10-2-2 overall record, Coppell looked to carry momentum from a strong tournament stretch into the start of district competition. Instead, the Cowboys ran into a tight pitching performance from Hebron starter Cooper Williams in a 3-1 contest.

Coppell ace Jackson Floren started on the mound for the Cowboys and delivered several strong innings to keep the game within reach. Floren worked efficiently early, retiring Hebron hitters while battling windy conditions that made routine fly balls difficult to track in the outfield.

The Cowboys threatened first in the opening inning when Floren reached base on an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Trichel. However, Hebron escaped the inning without allowing a run.

Coppell again created an opportunity in the second inning when Dillon Slaton singled and Suhoon Cho eventually advanced to third base, but the Cowboys were unable to bring him home.

The Hawks finally broke through in the fourth inning. Dylan Dunn and Walker Steele opened the frame with consecutive hits before Anderson Howard moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Braden Pacheco then drove in the game’s first run on a ground ball to shortstop to give Hebron a 1-0 lead.

Hebron added to the lead in the fifth inning. After Landon Bonner reached base, Cade Wrigley drove a fly ball down the right-field line that carried in the wind for an RBI triple. Dylan Dunn followed with an RBI single to extend the Hawks’ advantage to 3-0.

Coppell answered in the sixth inning. Floren was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, and Trichel reached base to set up a scoring opportunity. Cain Frosk delivered an RBI single to bring home the Cowboys’ first run of the night and cut the deficit to 3-1.

Despite putting runners on base throughout the game, Coppell was unable to generate another rally against Williams, who worked through six innings to earn the win for Hebron.

Floren led the Cowboys both at the plate and on the mound, recording a hit and pitching several strong innings while keeping Coppell within striking distance.

The Cowboys will look to bounce back in the second game of the district series when the teams meet again on Friday at Coppell’s Cowboy Field.