Softball playoffs: The Woodlands blanks Temple

BRENHAM, Texas – The Woodlands High School softball team moved one step closer to returning to the 5A state tournament. The defending state champion Lady Highlanders blanked Temple 7-0 Friday at Brenham High School in a one-game Region II-5A semifinals playoff game.

It was the 30th win of the season for The Woodlands (30-4), which will take on District 13-5A champion Klein Collins for the Region II-5A championship next week at a time and date to be determined. Klein Collins swept Bryan 3-1 and 7-4 in its region semifinals playoff series.

The Lady Highlanders scored two runs in each of the third through fifth innings and then tacked on another in the sixth to give plenty of run support for pitchers Abby Langkamp and Caitlin Bartsch. The lefty-righty combo combined on a six-hit shutout.

Langkamp worked the first five innings, striking out four, while Bartsch finished up with two innings of work and one strikeout. The Woodlands turned two double plays to help keep the Lady Wildcats off the base paths.

Paige McDuffee and Aubrey Leach collected two hits and one RBI each and Jessica Snyder belted a home run to highlight the Lady Highlanders’ eight-hit attack. Faith Bohack and Kayla Prater added a hit and an RBI apiece and Langkamp rounded out the hit parade with a single.

Sidney Salmans piled up four stolen bases and Leach added three more. Alyssa Jorgensen contributed with a sacrifice.

Temple tied for the District 12-5A championship with Bryan. Both were 12-2 while A&M Consolidated finished 11-3. Bryan and A&M Consolidated will be District 14-5A opponents for The Woodlands beginning next season.