Lady Highlanders sweep Montgomery, advance to Area

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Woodlands Lady Highlanders got shut down pitching from starter Abby Langkamp and a two-run home run from Kelcy Leach en route to a 5-1 Bi-District playoff game two victory over Montgomery on Friday night.

The Woodlands (24-3) and Montgomery (20-8) were deadlocked through the first four-and-a-half innings, but the Lady Highlanders put the pressure on in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring two unearned runs to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Kayla McCallum scored a Montgomery outfielder after a hard ground ball to center field by Sam Bratsch gave The Woodlands a 1-0 lead.

Aubrey Leach got an RBI on a fielder’s choice grounding out to second base, that scored Roma Thornton to make it 2-0 Lady Highlanders. The Woodlands would get one more run in the bottom of the fifth when Kaitlyn Stavinoha reached on error that scored Bratsch and suddenly The Woodlands had a 3-0 lead.

The Woodlands would take control in the bottom of the sixth when Kelcy Leach belted a two-run home run to center field that also scored Leah Starkweather for a 5-0 Lady Highlanders lead.

Abby Langkamp pitched five dominating innings for The Woodlands, giving up just two hits with no runs, no walks, and seven strikeouts. Emily Langkamp pitched the final two innings and gave up just one hit, one run, two walks, and three strikeouts to close out the Lady Bears.

The Woodlands advances to the Area round of the Class 6A Region II playoffs and will face the winner of Round Rock Cedar Ridge vs. Buda Hays, next week.