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After a tremendous run in the playoffs, the Lady Tigers softball team (31-11-1) were unable to solve the big bats of Kingswood. They fell in two 7-1 and 16-6. The youth on the team that delivered the goods means next year can be as good or better than this one.
In today's youth sports world, young does not mean inexperienced. That world is like child labor because from a very young age they are expected to be playing or practicing the sport most of the year. The player's parents have to foot the bill rather than getting paid. Most have played more games before they get to high school than they will play in high school. In fact, if they are not able to start or play a lot their freshman year they probably won't.
The baseball team is following the path the Lady Tigers just got through with. After coming back from a 6-4 loss to Pharr-San Juan-Alamo in the opening round of the Regional finals, the Tigers made their four runs stand up for wins in the next two 4-1, 4-2. This puts Dripping Springs (2810) in the State semis opposite the Kingswood boys (36-3). They will be trying to break the jinx the Lady Tigers had. In the new format for state divisions, the state semis are not played at the state tourney any more. Instead the teams play at a neutral site, best of three this week. Winner plays for the title.
Vs K1: Big innings were common for Kingswood in the two games. They came out swinging in the first inning. Starting pitcher, Sadie Bradford could not get out of the first inning giving up 5 runs, including a homerun. The Lady Tigers got outhit 10-3, with Bradford getting two including a double and the lone run in the second. Lillian Wearden got the other. Bradford started the game: .2IP, 4H, 5R, 5ER, 1W, 0K, 1HR. Tatum Green finished: 5.1IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 0W, 1K.
Vs K2: The second game was brutal as the Lady Tigers were outhit 18-6. Kingswood opened the top half of the first with three and the Lady Tigers matched it in their half. Four more crossed the plate in the second but DS could only manage one to fall behind. Five more crossed in the third. DS scored twice in the fifth but Kingwood would instigate the run-rule in the sixth with four more.
Lorelei Gamble would finally get a few swings and came away with two hits, including a HR and RBI. Green had two hits as well. Morgan Crain had a hit and 3RBI; Jai-Lynn Flores 1H (rbi). Gianna Hauser RBI. Other runs were by Morgan Riley 2, Kira Preslar, Emma Phillips, Kelly Hatcher. On the mound for Lady Tigers: Bradford 2.1IP, 6H, 7R, 6ER, 1W, 1K, 2HR; Green: 1.2IP, 8H, 5R, 5ER, 1W, 0K, 2HR; Addy Knapp: 2.1IP, 4H, 4R, 4ER, 2W, 0K.
LADY TIGERS DOMINATE ALLDISTRICT 26-6A SELECTIONS
As should be expected, the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers got their full quota of All-District players named at the meeting held with the coaches voting on the honors.
Special Honors
MVP: Lorelei Gamble (soph): .547BA, 52H, 66RBI, 13D, 5T, 23HR, 60W, 144TB, 1.516Slg.
Newcomer of the Year: Sadie Bradford (Fr): .324BA.
Coach of the Year: Wade Womack (DS) 31-11-1.
First Team
Tatum Green (So): .343BA.; Emma Phillips (Fr) .339BA; Taylor Crain (Sr) .263BA; Lauren Byrnes (So) .238BA.
Second Team
Elianna Amato (Jr) .272BA; Jai-Lynn Flores (Sr) .250BA.
Honorable Mention Lillian Wearden (So) .239BA; Kira Preslar (Jr) .320BA; McKenna Riley (So) .222BA.
Taylor Tracey swings for the pitch.
