PLANO – Plano East had lost its last five games to limp into the playoffs with a sub-.500 record. Playing undefeated Rowlett was just the wakeup call Plano East needed after a 3-1 bi-district win Friday.

Plano East starter Mark Roberson limited Rowlett to six hits – only one for extra bases – and struck out six to hand the area's No. 2-ranked team its first defeat of the season.

"We just didn't have things going our way the last couple of weeks," said Roberson, who improved to 8-3. "We felt real confident that we could beat this team. We had faced them before in nondistrict."

The previous meeting was a 10-4 Rowlett (27-1-2) win back in February. Plano East (15-15-1) ended the regular season in a hitting slump to finish in the fourth place playoff spot in District 9-5A.

The best-of-3 series continues at noon today at Rowlett. Game 3, if necessary, would follow.

Plano East managed just four hits Friday off Rowlett starter Andrew Smith (8-1), but the hits came in key situations.

Logan Reneau and Tyler Wylie hit back-to-back doubles in the first inning with Wylie's hit off the wall in right-center scoring two runs.

Reneau provided some critical insurance with an RBI single in the fifth. It was Plano East's only hit after the second inning.

"I think we just weren't focusing well at the plate the last four or five ball games," Plano East coach Travis Collins said. "We can hit. We've done it before."

Rowlett had runners in scoring position in every inning, but only Blake Hamblin's RBI single in the second produced results.