PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK Dripping Springs’ starting pitcher Haiden Anderson, a senior, winds up to deliver a pitch against Bowie. Anderson and relief pitcher Jai-Lynn Flores combined to strike out seven batters and gave up one unearned run in a 2-1 win over the Bulldogs in 10 innings.
DRIPPING SPRINGS — On Tuesday, Feb. 27, two high school softball teams frustrated each other for seven scoreless innings before Dripping Springs’ freshman pinch runner Morgan Riley crossed the plate, scoring the winning run from third base on a passed ball for a 2-1 win over visiting Bowie. There were two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning when she scored. “I saw the ball get away from the catcher and thought we might not have another chance,” Riley said when asked if head coach Wade Womack told her to go. “I felt like I could make it for the team. I just went on my own and made it.” Taylor Crain scored from third base on a squeeze play after a perfect bunt by freshman shortstop Lauren Brynes to give the Dripping Springs a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. “There was really no pressure,” Brynes said after the win, “I’m used to bunting and knew I could get it done.” The Lady Tigers lead didn’t last. With two outs, an error on a throw to first base enabled Bowie to tie the score 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning. Bowie threatened to go ahead with runners in scoring position, but Brynes made a leaping catch to end the inning and the threat. Dripping Springs missed a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when freshman Mckenna Riley hit a triple, but was called out on a close play at home plate when trying to score on a bunt. Haiden Anderson, the Lady Tigers starting pitcher, kept Bowie off the board, but with a runner at third base and one out was relieved by Jai-Lynn Flores in the top of the eighth inning. Flores retired the side in the inning, but walked the first two batters in the top of the ninth. “I just went out to talk and told her we’re ok, let’s just get out of this,” Womack said about a visit to the mound. Flores got out of the jam thanks to a double play and a strike out to end the inning. Dripping Springs had runners at second and third base in the bottom of the ninth, but with two outs a fly ball to right field ended that inning. Flores and the Lady Tigers defense shut out the Bulldogs in the top of the tenth before Morgan Riley scored the winning run in the bottom of the frame. Anderson pitched 7.1 innings, gave up five hits and struck out five. Flores, who got the win, gave up two hits and struck out two batters in 2.2 innings.
Taylor Crain (No. 5) jumps for joy as Dripping Springs’ Morgan Riley crosses the plate to give the Lady Tigers a 2-1 district win in the bottom of the tenth inning over Bowie. (PHOTO BY WAYLAND D. CLARK)
In six games at a tournament in Brenham last weekend, the Lady Tigers won 16-0 over Benjamin Davis, won 6-5 in eight innings against Midland Legacy and 4-3 in a win versus Conroe. Losses were to Lake Creek 5-4 in eight innings, 5-2 to Brenham and 5-2 to Forney. Dripping Springs will host Akins at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and during spring break, the Lady Tigers will play at 12:30 p.m. on March 11 at Westlake and host Lake Travis at 12:30 p.m. on March 12.
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