The Rockdale Lady Tigers had two come from behind wins in their 4-2 performance at the Killeen Tournament this past weekend, getting all sorts of game experience essential to their upcoming District 19-3A schedule, according to head coach Erin Palmer.
“We really saw a lot of what we needed to see this weekend,” Palmer said. “We played a lot of really good competition and of our four wins, we came back and won in three of them.
“Our girls showed grit and our upperclassmen really pulled it together with their leadership. They really set a great example for our freshmen and sophomores that haven’t been in those situations before.”
In their first tourney game on Thursday, the Lady Tigers scored six runs in the first inning to hold on and beat La Vega 7-4. Later in the day, RHS defeated the Waco Midway junior varsity 7-2 after scoring five runs in the third and fourth innings to break a tie a two.
On Friday, the Lady Tigers started off the day with a 5-3 win over Austin LBJ. The Lady Jags got up early, scoring three runs to take a 3-1 run lead in the second. In the third, Rockdale made a comeback and took the lead with a two-run single by Karlee Leopold.
Later in the day, the blue-and-gold made another comeback against Killeen-Ellison, taking down the Lady Eagles in their hometown 7-5. Ellison also took an early lead in the second, going up 4-1. The Lady Tigers tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the third. EHS took back the lead in the bottom going up, 5-4.
Rockdale scored three runs in the fourth to steal the game back before holding Ellison in the bottom of the inning to win the game 7-5.
On Saturday, Rockdale ended the tourney with a 2-1 loss to Lampasas and 5-0 loss to China Spring.
“Those last two games were tough,” Palmer said. “But they were both tough schools, especially China Spring. They roped the ball.”
Palmer also said a lot of good things about pitcher Karlee Leopold, who has been given a huge role, according to the Lady Tiger head coach.
“Her ability to adapt has been great.” Palmer said. “Last year, she pitched less than half the innings that Cailey (Knighton) pitched and now she has all those innings. I’m asking a lot of her and she’s certainly rising to the challenge and our chemistry is also building, which is great.”
RHS played in Groesbeck in Tuesday after press time and will host their own tournament this weekend at the Lady Tiger Softball Field and have games at the Rockdale Girls Softball League Fields as well.
“I always look forward to running this tournament,” Palmer said. “And the girls love getting to play here in Rockdale, I think it’s really special to them.”
The Lady Tigers play their first game 9:30 a.m., Friday against Snook. Later in the day, they face Pflugerville Connally at 2 p.m. and Taylor at 6:30 p.m.
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