HS Softball Playoffs: Historic Chapter in Conroe Softball History Closes After Game Two Loss in Regional Final

KYLE, TX -- The Conroe Tigers fell in a bitter 1-0 game two loss to the Midway Panthers to close their historic and trailblazing season in a tough series during the Regional Finals.

A lengthy and contested game one saw the Panthers edge their way to a win via late infield errors from Conroe, but a drastic change in landscape set the stage for a defensive battle where the first crack would spell defeat.

Despite both pitchers nearing 200 throws in game one, Conroe and Midway trusted their aces to get the job done.

Eva Lantagne reprised her role as the team’s defensive cornerstone, keeping the Panther batters guessing with pitches that forced weird contact for easy flys and grounders. Conroe’s defensive grasp was so strong that Midway was sat down in order through the first two innings.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Conroe Head Coach Rachelle Harris discussed her trust in the team to get the job done despite the long night prior.

“There was 100% trust. They knew what was on the line, and they wanted to give it all,” said Harris. “They gave their bodies, their time, and their commitment. They gave everything they had. So I have no complaints.”

Unfortunately for Conroe, their defensive effort was not matched by productive hitting.

Lightning-fast pitches from Midway’s Peyton Philipp kept the Tiger bats guessing where each delivery would end up. The handful of contacts made by the Conroe batters typically resulted in the runners being stranded due to frequent flyouts, keeping the 0-0 tie alive deep into the game.

High-pressure situations plagued both teams as the game went on, but both sides found ways to escape through timely defense or unfortunate outs.

Midway had been building gradual momentum heading into the top of the sixth, and they would take full advantage of their timely hitting to make the biggest difference of the night.

Back-to-back outs looked to lean Conroe’s way, but a series of singles pushed Panther runners on the basepath. The hits came just out of reach of the Tiger gloves, leading to Midway runners threatening to break the tie.

The backbreaker came off a Panther RBI single that pushed the first run across for a 1-0 Midway lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. With a fresh deficit and no meaningful hitting prior, the Tigers were under heavy pressure to keep the game alive.

Unfortunately for Conroe, their bats could not find the spark in the bottom of the sixth or seventh innings. More quick pitches from the Panthers caught the Tigers swinging, ending the game in a bitter 1-0 loss.

“It just didn’t fall our way today,” said Harris. “They played their hearts out, and I am so blessed to have this program. They gave it their all, and I am so proud to have been a part of this program and to have these girls with me.”

The lessons of a historically dominant year for Conroe will not be lost in the years to come. With just three seniors on the roster, the Tigers will ready themselves for another potential push come next season, with returning faces set to take the reins and continue charting a historic course for Conroe Softball.

“They’ve blown my mind with how much they’ve stepped up to the plate and exceeded expectations,” said Harris. “From the seniors to the freshmen, they have all stepped up, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this program.”

The past, present, and future of Conroe Softball are bright. With an established pedigree of success embedded within the program’s mentality, the next steps for the Tigers will come with more dominant wins.

*Special thanks go out to the ever-excited and ever-helpful Conroe Tiger fans and families for their help and support throughout the season.*

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