McLeod ousts A-G Lady Panthers

Posted 5/5/22

Behind 16 base hits and a strong pitching performance, the McLeod Lady Longhorns brought the Alba-Golden Lady Panthers’ softball season to an end with an 11-4 bidistrict win last Tuesday in Hughes Springs. 

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McLeod ousts A-G Lady Panthers

Posted

Behind 16 base hits and a strong pitching performance, the McLeod Lady Longhorns brought the Alba-Golden Lady Panthers’ softball season to an end with an 11-4 bidistrict win last Tuesday in Hughes Springs. 

The middle of the Lady Longhorn’s order was especially damaging, going for a combined 8 for 12. Clean-up hitter Gracie Lance sent a 2-run home run ball over the right-center field fence at Mustang Park. She was one of five Lady Longhorns who stroked multiple base hits.

Despite McCleod’s performance at the plate, the Lady Panthers staged a valiant comeback in the top of the sixth inning, closing the score to 7-4 and keeping the outcome in doubt. 

McLeod had put up two runs in the first, two runs in the third and three runs in the fourth to build a 7-0 lead. Up to that point, the Lady Panthers had put six runners on base but were unable to get them across. 

In the sixth however, there was a different swagger to the Alba-Golden side. Hailey Crutchfield led off the inning, took the at bat to a full count and reached on a base on balls. After Kylie Kennedy went down on an unassisted play at first base, Skylar West reached on an excellent bunt down the third base line.

With two runners on, Megan Wallace stepped into the box and calmly lined a base hit right back up the middle. The bases were loaded for Erin Langston. 

The sophomore centerfielder drilled a ball into deep left field, chasing the three baserunners home. She cruised into third with a stand-up triple. In a flash, Alba-Golden was back in the game. 

Aggressive posturing by Langston at third base drew a throw to third from the catcher. The ball skirted past the third baseman into short left field, and Langston scampered home. 

With the score 7-4 and carrying renewed confidence, the Lady Panthers had their eyes on a quick bottom half of the inning and another rally in the seventh. 

It just wasn’t to be. The Lady Longhorns strung together five base hits in the bottom of the sixth, crushing the chances of another Alba-Golden rally. 

The margin was seven runs when the Lady Panthers come to bat in the top of the seventh – a tough challenge for any team. Two spectacular defensive plays by McCleod registered the first two outs of the inning. 

Catcher Jessica Lawson made a hustling catch on a foul pop back by the screen for the first out. After Crutchfield reached on a walk, Kylie Kennedy stroked a hard ground ball which looked to be headed for the gap on the right side of the infield. The McLeod first baseman cut across the gap, speared the ball, and flung the ball to second, forcing Crutchfield. Two batters later, the game, and the season, ended on a routine ground ball out at first.