WALL, TX -- The Wall Lady Hawks snapped a 15-game losing streak with an 11-6 come-from-behind win over district rival Sonora on Tuesday.
Sonora jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning before Wall stormed back with five unanswered runs across the first three innings. Sonora then regained the advantage in the top of the fourth to go up 6-5. Wall then sent nine batters to the plate for four runs to take the lead for good in the bottom of the inning.
After starting play in District 4-3A with two straight losses, the Lady Hawks knew they desperately needed a win. So, Tuesday's win lifted a big weight off Wall's shoulders.
"It was huge for our kids. We've been working really hard the last two weeks," Wall head coach Steve Bain said. "We've played pretty good, it's just one inning. We've given up a lot of runs in one inning in all of our past games. So, for us to come together -- I know we gave up the lead early -- but they stuck together."
The win came as senior Ashlynn Box made her return to the lineup after being sidelined for roughly eight months with a knee injury. The Angelo State softball signee went a modest 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, a run scored and a walk to her name as the team's designated player. Box's RBI tied the game at six in the bottom of the fourth inning.
In her first at-bat of the season, Box roped a line drive right to the glove of Sonora left fielder Cheyenne Haynes. Being able to make solid contact in a live environment was a welcomed feeling for Box.
"Finally in a live game in eight months. It's been a long time, but it was so much fun," Box said of returning back to the field.
Having Box's senior leadership back in the lineup also provided a spark for the rest of the Lady Hawks.
"It feels awesome for us to have her back, for everyone to feed off her leadership," Bain said. "She's been doing a great job in practice and in games. But once you're playing, it's different."
The Lady Hawks and Lady Broncos each tallied 11 hits in the game. The contagious hitting that Wall put on display is what they continuously need going forward according to Box.
"Coming in and the girls hitting like they did today, we need to do that every game," Box emphasized. "Once one girl hit, it was like a domino -- it fell in a line. Everyone just kept hitting. It was contagious. Hitting is contagious.
With her performance, Box extended her on-base streak to 40 games and her hitting streak to 14 games. That's a testament to the power hitter's patience and awareness at the plate, Bain says.
"She's a power hitter, but she's also patient," Bain said. "She's very smart. Last year, she only stuck out twice maybe. That's just knowing the game and knowing what to look for. She's a great hitter."
Wall's Taylor Hunt had the biggest day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a pair of runs scored to go with a double. Sloan Smith went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs.
Sonora's Raeven Harris went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Dekota Morrow had the highest production for the Lady Broncos, going 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Izzy Vera picked up the win after going the distance and allowing six runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts. Aislin Nixon was on the losing end after allowing 12 runs in six innings.
Wall (3-15, 1-2) will travel to Grape Creek this Thursday. Sonora (3-12, 0-3) will host TLCA this Friday.
Armstrong, Mason No-Hit Ingram Moore in Lopsided win.
The Mason Cowgirls wasted no time in dispatching nondistrict foe Ingram Moore in a 15-0 win in four innings on Tuesday behind Jesse Armstrong's no-hitter.
In four innings of work, Armstrong didn't allow a hit while also striking out six. The only base runners came on walks or errors.
Mason opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning by sending 14 batters to the plate to score 10 runs. Bridgit Herrington highlighted the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning to bring Mason's lead to 12-0.
The Cowgirls finished the game on a walk-off error that scored Courtney Hanscheck and McKenzie Cano in the bottom of the fourth.
McKenzie Cano was a big presence at the plate for Mason, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a double. Herrington was 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs, two runs and a double to go with her home run.
Mason (7-8, 2-0) will resume district play when they host Junction on March 19.
Brady Keeps Pace in District Race With Dominant Win Over TLCA
The Brady Lady Bulldogs inched within a half-game of District 4-3A leader Ballinger with a 15-4 win over the TLCA Lady Eagles on Tuesday.
Brady opened the scoring with a run in the first inning. That would eventually turn into five unanswered runs after the top of the fourth inning.
TLCA cut into that deficit with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-run, inside-the-park home run from Macy Lawdermilk.
Brady responded with three runs in the next frame and three more in the sixth before a four-run seventh inning capped off the scoring for the Lady Bulldogs.
Destiny Williams was dominant at the plate for Brady, going 4-for-6 with four RBIs, two doubles and a triple for the day. Paige Bauer also had a solid day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, three runs scored, a double and a triple.
Tyrah Atchison had the best day at the plate from a percentage standpoint for TLCA, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Lawdermilk's home run was her only hit in three at-bats on Tuesday.
Katie McAnelly pitched a complete game for Brady to pick up the win. She allowed four runs on seven hits with nine strike outs.
McKenna Manley was the pitcher of record for TLCA after going five innings and allowing eight runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and six walks.
Brady (3-1, 3-1) will host Sonora on March 19. TLCA (5-15, 1-2) will travel to Sonora this Friday.
Maidens Humbled by Sweetwater in District Opener
The Lake View Maidens dropped their District 5-4A opener 19-3 to Sweetwater on Tuesday.
Sweetwater scored 17 runs before the Maidens could generate a response in the bottom of the third inning.
Lake View posted three runs in the third thanks to an RBI double from Hailey Guerra and a two-run double from Clarissa Fernandez two batters later.
Sweetwater tacked on two more runs in the fourth to seal Lake View's fate.
Fernandez went 1-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs from her double. In total, Lake View had five hits in the loss.
Sierra Hernandez picked up the losing decision after allowing 15 runs on four hits with one strikeout and eight walks. Fernandez finished the game for the Maidens, allowing four runs on three hits with a strikeout.
Lake View (7-13, 0-1) will look to change their luck against Big Spring on Wednesday.
Other scores from the area:
- Grape Creek 8, Reagan County 0
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