With rain anticipated to shower over much of Central Texas this past weekend, Thorndale softball’s bi-district playoff series with Harper was turned into a one-game playoff for all the marbles, which they played at noon on Friday at Georgetown High School.
Raindrops fell throughout much of the game, but the Lady Dogs didn’t waste any time.
In the bottom of the first, Kelsey Kovar hit a two-run bomb bringing in Natalie Garcia to start the run rampage.
The Lady Dogs only scored two more runs during the inning, but put up a combined 21 runs in the second and third inning with hits from Garcia, Kynlie Cargill, Kassidy Eubanks, Landri Martinka, Emilee Baker, Bailee Baker and Raeghan Carlson, who hit her 14th home run of the season during the second inning.
“Just from start to finish, we hit the ball really, really well,” said coach Lance Betak. “And they kind of gave us a couple of gifts early.”
“That got them down a little bit and brought up our momentum,” he said.
Although the Lady Dogs went on to win 25-4 after four and a half innings, Betak added that his team put up a strong defensive effort as well.
“We put the ball in play, but we play great defense too,” he said. “I think it was the second inning where we made a diving catch on a bunt attempt and we also got the ball in quickly on a base hit and their girl ran too far and we got her in a run down that resulted in an out.”
“I always tell them that if we can make all the routine plays and one or two spectacular plays, we are going to be tough to beat,” he added. Dori Ginn led from the
Dori Ginn led from the circle, striking out two and allowing just one run. Eubanks also pitched, striking out one and allowing three runs.
GRAPELAND—Moving into the area round of the playoffs, Thorndale faces Grapeland in a best-of-three series this weekend.
GHS finished third in District 25-2A and is coming off a 16-6 win over Normangee on Friday where the Sandiettes started scoring early and scored more after Normangee put up six runs in the top of the fourth to make it 7-6.
When asked about Grapeland’s team, Betak said Sandiettes’ leadoff hitter Kiera Decluette went three-for-four with a home run and a triple Friday.
Betak said she went five-for-five with a home run when he saw Grapeland play earlier this season.
“They are solid everywhere else, but I think she will have a lot to do with the outcome of the game.”
If THS wins, they take on the winner of the game between Centerville and Bremond, who Thorndale beat twice in district play, 14-4 and 7-1.
For now, Betak likes his team’s chances in the post-season and likes the way the Lady Dogs have been playing.
“The day before, we weren’t stone-faced while in the (batting) cages, but we had the confidence of ‘we think we’re gonna win’,” Betak said. “We’re just so confident right now. Someone’s going to have to play really hard to beat us.”
GAME INFO—Game one is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m., and game two is planned for Saturday at 1 p.m. If necessary, game three will begin 30 minutes after the end of game two.
Tickets are $5 and sold only at the gate. Betak also said fans are welcome to bring lawn chairs since the MHS field bleachers are far enough back from the field of play.
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