HS Sports: Conroe Takes Losses in Baseball and Softball, Putting Pressure On Game Two Execution

KYLE, TX -- The Conroe Tigers fought and scrapped but ultimately lost their baseball and softball game ones to the Midway Panthers, putting their seasons on the line ahead of much-needed execution in Friday’s game twos.

The Conroe Tigers entered round three for baseball and round four for softball with loads of momentum and passionate fan bases ready to cheer them on at every outing. But the Panthers had different plans, starting with the dismantling of the Conroe Baseball team.

Baseball was thoroughly handled despite the usual tactics of aggressive baserunning and a profound trust in the defense to put a lid on potential Panther scoring.

However, Midway overwhelmed the Tigers through concussive hitting that buried Conroe in a 13-0 deficit that run-ruled the game by the end of the fifth inning.

Swings from the Tiger batters tried to build momentum against the Midway lead, but the connections that did happen resulted in no runs crossing in the loss.

Meanwhile, the Tiger softball team was in a tough battle from start to finish, including a push into extra innings that emphasized clinical execution.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead at the end of the first inning, and a battle to recapture or balance the lead went on for the next nine full innings.

Midway briefly extended their lead following a Conroe tie in the third, taking a 3-1 advantage after nailing a two-run homer.

A scoreless fourth saw the typical defensive execution Conroe had built throughout the season, but the lack of hitting was unexpected. Midway’s pitching was sound from start to finish, favoring a fastball that seared past the Tiger batters while risking a potential deep-shot should Conroe make contact.

The fears of constantly using a fastball were realized in the top of the fourth, when Addison Mason brought in Conroe’s second run of the game on an RBI single that was immediately followed by an Alissa Sneed home run that tied the game at four runs apiece.

Conroe’s sudden surge had to be met with execution in tense situations on defense, which the team did relatively well. Despite a handful of Panther runners reaching scoring position, the Tigers were able to fend them off and keep the 4-4 tie going into the 10th inning.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, a critical mistake late in the game was enough to seal the deal and hand the win to the Panthers.

A routine grounder got away following an attempt to snag the batter at first, leading to Midway pushing their lead runner to third. The Tigers then attempted to get the runner at third, but an overthrow allowed the Midway lead runner to slide home for the game-winning run on infield errors.

The 5-4 loss represents the first loss for the Tigers since March, and it heightens the stakes for a win-or-go-home game two today.

With both the baseball teams down one game to none in the three game series, execution and composure are paramount in game two. The hopes of continuing historic runs and keep the dream alive for a potential state championship rest on how the teams perform against the odds.