UNIVERSITY PARK – Texarkana Texas High had the big inning, but Highland Park had more big moments in a 4-3 area-round playoff victory Thursday.

After Texas High struck for three runs in the second, Highland Park scored a run in each of the next four innings.

Jonathan Perlman pitched a five-hitter to give Highland Park (31-6) a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 Class 4A Region II series. He gave up two hits in the final five innings and got help in the seventh from a spectacular, diving catch by right fielder Seth Gardner.

The series moves to Texarkana on Saturday.

"They jumped on us," Highland Park coach Sam Roberson said. "I'm sure proud of my kids for the way they chipped and pecked their way back."

Texas High (24-4), No. 10 in the state coaches association poll, took the lead on a two-run homer by Caleb Dudley and an RBI double by Carlton Bailey. Texas High's offense sputtered otherwise – its top four hitters went a combined 0-for-11.

Texas High starter Josh Turley held Highland Park hitless for the first 2⅔ innings.

"I just told them to be patient," Roberson said. "We were going to get ours. It was just a matter of when."

A two-out double by Sam Davison followed by Joey Hainsfurther's single got Highland Park on the board in the third, and Nathan Venz tied the score with a solo homer in the fifth.

Gardner led off the sixth with a single, then Will Landess drove in the winning run with a double to right-center.