Miles Picks Up First Playoff Win Since 2017 After Holding Off Junction

MILES, TX -- The Miles Lady Bulldogs picked up their first playoff win since 2017 with a 9-4 win over the Junction Lady Eagles in the Class 2A bi-district playoff on Monday.

The Lady Bulldogs were quick to put runs on the board, scoring seven runs in the first two innings -- five of which came in the second inning.

However, Junction’s Nadia Menchaca and Alejandra Villanueva drove in four runs in the sixth inning. Villanueva hit a three-run triple to left field to cut the deficit to 8-4. Junction put five runners on with two outs in that frame.

“I asked them, have we ever scored eight runs in two innings and they agreed that they have,” Junction head coach April McAdams said. “They gave me some fight in those last couple innings.”

But it wasn’t enough as Reagan Smithwick extended the lead for Miles in the bottom of the sixth with a double for Miles to bring in Lizzie Syler and cap off the scoring.

Syler was still able to help the Bulldogs pick up a win even after she struggled to get outs in the sixth.

“I was just trying to keep calm throughout the sixth inning” Syler said. “Make sure I’m doing all my mechanics right and staying positive cause if I throw a lot of balls it’s my defense that’s going to get down.”

After Syler struck out the first batter in the seventh inning, the rest of the lady bulldogs had her back and held the Lady Eagles for the second and third out.

“We’ve had a couple of pitchers out all year long but we got them both back.” Miles head coach Matt Jones said. “The girls knew with Lizzie on the mound that we were going to have a good chance at a win.”

Cambree Schwartz had the best day at the plate for the Lady Bulldogs, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Smithwick, Syler, Skyler Brooks and Emily Sklenarik each had two hits for the Lady Bulldogs.

Menchaca, Villanueva and Macy McAdams each had two hits for the Lady Eagles. Villanueva was the only Lady Eagle to pick up multiple RBIs.

Syler finished the game with four runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Jordan Johnson took the loss after allowing nine runs on 13 hits and six walks with three strikeouts.

Miles (13-13) advances to the area round where they will face the winner from the Stamford/Electra bi-district playoff.