AREA SOFTBALL: Late Heroics Give TLCA First Win Over Wall, First District Win in 3 Years

WALL, TX -- The TLCA Lady Eagles used a seven-run seventh inning to clinch a historic 12-10 road win over the Wall Lady Hawks on Tuesday.

The win was TLCA's first-ever win over Wall and their first district win since head coach Todd Lawdermilk took the reins of the program.

"It was tremendous," Lawdermilk said following the win. "The last two years, we've ended the season with Wall [in Wall] and they've just kind of beat us up pretty good."

TLCA opened the scoring and eventually moved ahead to a 5-0 lead entering the bottom of the fifth. Lawdermilk continuously told his girls to "keep playing," knowing Wall is never out of a game.

Wall finally responded in the bottom of the fifth inning by sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs on four hits to take a 9-5 lead into the sixth frame. That came after the Lady Hawks had tallied five hits in the first four innings.

After each team was held scoreless in the sixth, TLCA was down to their final three outs. Abelina Rangel then started off the Lady Eagles' seven-run rally with an RBI single to center field. Tyrah Atchison brought the game level with a three-run triple down the left field line. Elizabeth Maldonado regained the lead for TLCA with an RBI single to bring in Atchison. McKenna Manley capped off the scoring with a two-run double two batters later and put TLCA up 12-9.

"That's what I've been preaching since I've been here," Lawdermilk said of his team's never-quit attitude, "and we finally believe no matter what the score is, no matter what inning it is, that we have the ability, if we keep playing, to fight back and that's what they did."

Wall had a chance to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, but only managed one run on an RBI ground-out from Izzy Vera.

Atchison had a stellar day at the plate, going 5-for-5 with five RBIs, a triple and a run scored to her name. Manley, Rangel, Lainey Griggs, Keelyn Wheeler and Kaitlyn Martinez also had multi-hit games for TLCA. Manley was the only other Lady Eagle with multiple RBIs to her name.

Bazleigh Higgins was a standout for Wall in the loss. Higgins went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs to her name. Taylor Hunt went 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBIs.

Manley picked up the win with seven total innings of work. She was charged with nine of Wall's 10 runs and 11 hits while also striking out seven batters.

Hunt picked up the losing decision after surrendering eight runs on 10 hits.

TLCA (5-14, 1-1) will host Brady next Tuesday. Wall (2-14, 0-1) will travel to Brady this Friday.  

Jalomo's Homer Highlights Explosive Day for Ballinger

The Ballinger Lady Bearcats used a 10-run first inning to beat the Sonora Lady Broncos 13-0 in five innings on Tuesday.

The Lady Bearcats sent 13 batters to the plate to notch those 10 runs. However, the fireworks were just getting started.

Two innings later, Lauren Jalomo uncorked a two-run shot over the left field fence during a three-run third inning for the Lady Bearcats, putting them up 13-0. It was her only hit of the game.

Ballinger's Daniella Luna gave Sonora fits from the circle, as Dekota Morrow was the lone Lady Bronco to record a hit. Jackilyn Sykes was the only other base runner for Sonora with a walk to her name.

In total, Luna struck out five during her one-hit gem to pick up the win.

Luna helped her own cause, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. Jenna Battle, Julie Martinez and Kelsey Hughes each had a pair of hits in the win.

Ballinger (3-4-1, 2-0) will travel to Grape Creek this Friday. Sonora (3-10, 0-2) will host Reagan County this Friday.

Lady Cats Struggle to Catch Up to Euless Trinity

The Central Lady Cats fell behind early and couldn't find a way all the way back in an 11-4 loss to Euless Trinity.

Trinity posted four runs in the first innings. Central responded with a two-run double from Bailey Fulps to halve Trinity's lead entering the second inning.

Central would allow three runs from the second inning to the fourth before responding. Kylie Maynard would score on an error before Taylor Martin came home on a sac-fly from Rylie Dehn.

Trinity would shut the Lady Cats down for the remainder of the game.

Fulps was charged the loss after allowing eight runs on 10 hits with eight strikeouts.

Central (7-8-1, 1-1) will travel to Abilene on Friday.

Mason Falls in Walk-Off Fashion to Florence

A two-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted Florence to a walk-off win over the Mason Cowgirls.

Mason took their first lead at 2-1 in the top of the third inning thanks to an RBI double by Vanessa Rodriguez and an RBI single by Jesse Armstrong.

After Florence tied the game at two runs in the fifth inning, Presley Anastas sent a loud, two-run shot over the center field fence to put Mason up 4-2 entering the final two frames.

Anastas went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored to her name. Rodriguez was also 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored.

Armstrong was given the loss after allowing all five runs and despite going 6 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.

Mason (4-8) will open district play this Friday with a home doubleheader against Christoval.

This story will be updated. Coaches can send scores and stats to [email protected]