Lady Wildcats' season comes to an end with Regional Semifinal loss against Aubrey, 3-1 Image
Senior Reese Ragan (20) awaits the pitch in the batter's box during the Lady Wildcats' Regional Semifinal game against Aubrey Friday. In what turned out to be her final high school softball game, Ragan batted 1/2 in the Lady Wildcats' 3-1 loss. Photo by DJ Spencer
Dj Spencer Sports Editor Thu, 05/23/2024 - 15:32 Subhead
Boatman scores lone run
Body
NEVADA — The No. 10 Sulphur Springs Lady Wildcats’ season came to a heartbreaking end Friday night following a 3-1 loss to the Aubrey Lady Chaparrals in their Regional Semifinal game at Community High School. Despite playing close all game, the Lady Wildcats weren’t able to gain an upper hand, as the Lady Chaparrals ended their season for the second consecutive year.
The Lady Chaparrals stepped up to the plate first, facing Hannah Speed in the circle. Aubrey was retired in order following a ground out and a pair of fly outs.
The Lady Wildcats were subsequently retired in order during the bottom of the first inning, as Emerson Thompson grounded out, Nicole Higgins hit a fly ball for an out, and Speed struck out.
The second inning began with the Lady Chaparrals gaining a runner on a single. A sacrifice bunt on the next at-bat moved the runner to second base.
After a ground out, an RBI single led to a run, as Aubrey took a 1-0 lead. A fly out followed on the next at-bat, ending the Lady Chaparrals’ turn.
The bottom of the second inning started off with Bayler Boatman being walked. Another runner was gained when Reese Ragan hit a single.
On the next at-bat, Claire Thompson grounded into a fielder’s choice, where Ragan was tagged out at second base, but also allowed Boatman to score, tying the score at 1-1.
The inning came to an end after both Abbey Goldsmith and KK Montgomery struck out, with the score tied at 1-1.
The third inning started off with the Lady Chaparrals hitting a single. Following a fly out, the next batter was hit by a pitch.
An RBI double on the next at-bat brought home another run, as Aubrey pulled ahead 2-1. This was followed by the next batter grounding into a double play, ending their turn.
The Lady Wildcats went down in during the bottom of the third inning, as Anahi Velasquez struck out, Emerson Thompson grounded out, and Higgins hit a fly ball for an out.
The fourth inning began with a strikeout. After the Lady Chaparrals gained a runner on a walk, a fly out and a strikeout would bring Aubrey’s turn to a close.
The Lady Wildcats once again were retired in order during the bottom of the fourth inning after Speed grounded out, Boatman hit a fly ball for an out, and Ragan struck out, as Aubrey maintained a 2-1 lead.
The fifth inning started off with a line out and a fly out. After a pair of runners were gained on a walk and a single, a pop out ended the Lady Chaparrals’ turn.
The bottom of the fifth inning began with Claire Thompson striking out. A runner was then gained when Goldsmith hit a single. She was then substituted by Tatum Thompson at first base.
Unfortunately, the next two outs followed when Montgomery grounded into a fielder’s choice, where Thompson was tagged out at second base, and Velasquez grounded out, ending the inning, with Aubrey still leading 2-1.
The sixth inning began with an error and a walk. The next batter grounded into a fielder’s choice, leading to an out.
Soon after, the Lady Chaparrals scored another run on a wild pitch, extending their lead to 3-1. This was followed by a strikeout and a ground out, ending their turn.
The bottom of the sixth inning kicked off with Emerson Thompson hitting a fly ball for an out. Though a runner was soon gained when Higgins walked, the inning ended when Speed lined into a double play, where Higgins failed to tag up.
The seventh inning started with a fly out and a ground out. Following two singles, a ground out ended Aubrey’s turn.
The bottom of the seventh inning started with Boatman grounding out. Two runners would soon be gained when both Ragan and Claire Thompson walked. They were then substituted by Dotti Smith and Brailie Blevins on the bases.
Goldsmith grounded out on the next at-bat, but managed to move Smith and Blevins into scoring position. Unfortunately, the game ended when Montgomery struck out, as Aubrey capped off a 3-1 victory, ending Sulphur Springs’ season.
As a team, the Lady Wildcats batted just 2 for 22 (.091) from the plate. Goldsmith and Ragan both recorded one hit each, with Boatman scoring the Lady Wildcats’ only run.
Speed suffered the loss in the circle. Across seven innings, she surrendered seven hits, three earned runs, and three walks, tallying three strikeouts.
With the loss, the Lady Wildcats’ season has come to an end. They end the season with an overall record of 23-9-2, finishing as undefeated District champions, Bi-District champions, Area champions, and Regional Semifinalists.
This game also marked the final high school softball game for four senior Lady Wildcats: Higgins, Ragan, Velasquez, and Niya Yancy.
The Lady Wildcats will look to improve in the off-season and make a deeper playoff run next year.
Comments / 0