District 15-6A Softball Playoffs: South County Round 1 Roundup - UPDATE

THE WOODLANDS, TX--

The Woodlands

Game 1:

The Lady Highlander softball team pretty much wrapped up their first postseason win of 2019 in just three innings of work. The Woodlands took the opening game over Dekaney High School 13-0 on Wednesday, April 25. Game 1 was a complete team win for the Highlanders. Pitchers Avery Taylor and Amanda Curran combined for a no-hit shutout in the win over the Wildcats. Taylor started the game in the circle and struck out five batters. After three innings, Curran came in to finish a run-rule shortened game. In her brief outing, Curran sent four Dekaney batters back to the dugout.

Offensively, it was a field day for The Woodlands. Their 13 runs came on 14 hits from eight different batters. Leading the way was outfielder Skylar Stockon. Stockton was perfect at the plate, picking up four hits on four plate appearances. The senior’s two singles, a double, and a triple racked up three RBIs on the night.

Game 2:

Thursday’s game was much of the same. Once again, the Lady Highlanders outmatched Dekaney in every way. In this game, the Wildcats were able to find two hits, but it was another combined shutout for Amanda Curran and Avery Taylor. This time, Curran was the starter and struck out six before being replaced in the fifth and final inning of another run-rule shortened game.

Thursday night was once again an offensive showcase by The Woodlands. With the exception of the first inning, the Highlanders crossed the plate at least twice in every frame. The highlight of the night came from Katie Emberton in the second inning. The junior sent a fly-ball over the wall in right field to score the game’s first two runs. She later tripled in the fifth to bring in another run and set up the Lady Highlanders for their run-rule win.

The win advances The Woodlands to Round 2 where they will meet either Cypress Ranch or Leander High School.

Oak Ridge

The Lady War Eagles relied on the long ball to carry them into the next round. Oak Ridge left the yard four times in Friday’s 8-5 win over the MacArthur Generals. The fireworks began early as Macee Cobb started the game with a leadoff solo home run to center field. Two batters later, Kennedy Reynolds would smack one over the wall in right for a quick two-run lead that would stretch to three by the end of the half-inning. However, the Generals were ready to play as well. An error leading to a run scored and a two-run homer from Wyllo Gayle would even the game at three to end the first inning.

Oak Ridge trailed by a run entering the fourth inning, but after an error at second base allowed Mya Briones to cross home plate, back-to-back jacks by Kennedy Reynolds and Sam Graeter gave the War Eagles the lead they needed to put MacArthur away for good.

Morgan Brandon was the pitcher in Friday’s win for the War Eagles. After a tough start early, Brandon was able to blank the Generals in the last four frames, including back-to-back strikeouts to finish with a total of 12 K’s and keep the 2019 playoff run moving into the Area round.

The Lady War Eagles will face Cedar Ridge in Round 2.