Saturday was eventful for the Lady Dog softball team as they defeated Grapeland 23-5 to become area champions.
The victory was in large part to a combined six home runs over the course of the five-inning game with shots from Kelsey Kovar, Reagyn Trahan, Emily Reeves and Raeghan Carlson, who hit three to bring her season total to 17.
Coach Lance Betak said the burst came after THS was a little shaky taking off in the beginning.
“We did have slow starts in both of the games of the series, and I hope we can get that fixed,” Betak said. “Our run production has been there all year, but to have six home runs hit in one game is incredible.”
GAME TWO—T H S had a total of 22 hits with Emilee Baker, Bailee Baker, Kovar, Carlson and Reaves each having three, Natalie Garcia and Kassidy Eubanks hitting two apiece and Trahan and Landri Martinka both having one.
Sophomore Dori Ginn led from the circle allowing three hits and striking out two in four innings. The freshman Eubanks also pitched one inning, allowing two hits.
“There are no easy outs in our lineup,” Betak said. “I think our girls have really built a lot of confidence throughout district and the playoffs.”
“We have been behind on several occasions during district and the playoffs, but it never affects our girls. They just tighten up defensively and get more focused at the plate, which has worked out pretty well for us,” he said.
GA ME ONE—15-5; Bailee Baker and Eubanks had three hits, Emilee Baker, Kovar and Martinka had two hits and Garcia, Trahan and Reeves had one.
Ginn struck out two and allowed two hits.
REMATCH—Moving on to the Region IV quarterfinals, the Lady Dogs will encounter a familiar face.
They face Bremond Wednesday (May 12) at Texas A&M’s Davis Diamond in one game for the right to move on to the regional semi-final game to face the winner of Shiner and Ganado.
Although Thorndale beat Bremond 14-4 and 7-1 during district play, the Lady Tigers have been on a roll. BHS upset Mason 7-6, the winner of the District 28-2A on May 1 and took down District 25-2A’s runner up Centerville in a twogame series with a 7-6 victory in game one where they trailed 6-0 going into the sixth and a 9-2 win on Monday night to claim the series.
“I think the main thing is that even though we have beat them twice, they’ve won two playoff series. So they are playing much better,” Betak said. “We have to be on top of our game to beat them.”
Game time between the district foes is 7 p.m.
CARLSON—In addition to hitting three more home runs this past weekend, Carlson was also named the Extra Inning Softball’s list of the top 100 high school softball players as the 77th best player in the U.S.
She was described as a “high-level athletic catcher and infielder who runs well, pushes herself hard with never-ending work ethic and brings big time power to the plate.”
Extra Inning also mentions that she has received interest from ACC, SEC and Big 12 programs.
Thorndale vs. Bremond Regional Quarter-final
at Texas A&M’s Davis Diamond
7 p.m., Wednesday
Tickets: $10 and only sold at stadium entrance.
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