HS Softball Playoffs: Grand Slams & 30 Runs; The Woodlands and Grand Oaks Battle in Game 2

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Highlanders hosted the Grand Oaks Grizzlies in Game 2 of the Regional Quarter Finals in the 2022 UIL Softball Playoffs. This time The Woodlands would have homefield advantage as they try to close out the series and try to move to the Regional Semifinals.As the game started, Grand Oaks got on the board early. With Saylor Davis in the circle for The Woodlands, Grand Oaks knew they would have to strike early before Davis heated up. With a couple of hits and the bases juiced Kaetlyn Dunbar (#24 GOHS) came up to the plate and hit an absolute nuke out of the park. With a grand slam on the board, The Woodlands found themselves down in the 1st inning 5-0.Grand Oaks didn’t stop there. In the 2nd inning they brought in another 2 and in the 4th they chalked up another run. This made the score 8-1 going into the bottom of the 4th.This is when The Woodlands started to chip away at the Grand Oaks lead. With 2 runs coming in Grand Oaks decided to swap out pitchers to close out the inning.

The Woodlands closes out the top of the 4th.

Bottom of the 4th
The Woodlands - 1
Grand Oaks - 8@TWHSSoftball @gogrizzsoftball pic.twitter.com/2xoQ3jB3ue

— Woodlands Online Sports (@WOLsports) May 14, 2022

Once again things heated up for Grand Oaks in the 5th. With a couple of base hits and pitching errors, Grand Oaks was able to bring in another 3 runs making the score 11-3. The Woodlands turned around and pitched a 3 up 3 down in the 6th, retiring Grand Oaks back to the dugout in the quickest half inning of the game.

Grand Oaks closes out the 5th with an 8 run lead.

Top of the 6th
The Woodlands - 3
Grand Oaks - 11@TWHSSoftball @gogrizzsoftball pic.twitter.com/JiUU7BFMd4

— Woodlands Online Sports (@WOLsports) May 14, 2022

The Woodlands once again rallied up and brought in another 4 to inch closer to the Grand Oaks lead. But in the top of the 7th, Grand Oaks added another 6 runs to their score, making it 17-7. The Highlanders would hold strong in the bottom and gave Grand Oaks a roller coaster of emotions as Kaelyn Zusi bombed one out of the park with the bases juiced.Unfortunately, a grand slam wasn’t enough to catch up to the Grand Oaks lead. The Woodlands would end the game with some huge hits and a grand slam against the Grizzlies. Between the 2 teams, 30 runs would cross the plate making it another 30+ game at The Woodlands this season.

And that's the ball game. 30 runs between the 2 teams. Grand Oaks stays alive and forces a game 3.

Final
The Woodlands - 13
Grand Oaks - 17@TWHSSoftball @gogrizzsoftball pic.twitter.com/ROvjc7M54y

— Woodlands Online Sports (@WOLsports) May 14, 2022

Grand Oaks forces a game 3 which will be held at Magnolia High School on neutral ground to determine who moves on and who’s season would end.