STEVE PATTERSON
The Ellis County Press
The Red Oak Lady Hawks softball team began their playoff run in a best of a three game series with the Brownwood Lady Lions who finished second in District 16-4A.
All the games were supposed to be played at the Waco ISD sports complex, but Mother Nature had other plans.
Friday night’s game had to be moved from Waco to Alvarado as all the fields in Waco were under water.
It would turn out to be worth the double road trip for the Lady Hawks as they would win the all important first game 6-4.
Saturday, under sunny skies, the two teams returned to Waco ISD sports complex for game two.
The Lady Hawks, who were the home team, got off to a great start with catcher Taylor VanHove (#4) throwing a perfect bullet to short stop Tara McKenney (#3) who placed the tag on the runner trying to steal second base and Taylor Ames (#5) making a spectacular diving catch in left field.
After that however, it turned a little shaky with a couple of early errors and passed balls, Brownwood would take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The next two innings, the Lady Lions seemed to have the momentum and were hitting the ball into the gaps, but each time the Lady Hawks defense would stiffen and get the third out before Brownwood could score another run.
The Lady Hawks were hitting the ball hard, but each hit was right to one of the Lady Lions for easy outs.
In the top of the fourth the momentum seemed to swing back to the Lady Hawks in what turned out be one the best catches this season.
One a short pop fly, center fielder April Sharpless (#1), in a full out run, barehanded the ball and put it into her glove for a not so routine out.
The Lady Hawks continued to hit the ball hard and this time it was errors on the Lady Lions which allowed base runners, but it would not be until the bottom of the fourth before the Lady Hawks would get on the score board.
The score remained tied 1-1 and in the bottom of the sixth, in what appeared to be the go ahead run; Leah Martinek (#7) was called for infield interference as the Lady Lions short stop missed a ground ball.
Martinek was called out to the dismay of Red Oak fans and the go ahead run was sent back to third base.
The Lady Lions were able to dodge that bullet and get out of the sixth still tied 1-1.
In the top of the seventh, the Lady Lions lead off hitter was able to get to first on a well hit ball to right field, but was thrown out by catcher Taylor VanHove on the next pitch.
The Lady Hawks defense really stepped up in the seventh and even thought the Lady Lions had advanced a runner to third, the Lady Hawks defense and pitching kept her there.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Hawks wanted to win this game and end the series with a sweep.
The first batter up, Tara McKenney drilled the ball to the gap between left and center field and she dove into third base for a triple.
With one out, Shelby Hall would end up getting the game winning RBI up the middle to score McKenney for the 2-1 win.
This was a great couple of wins for the Lady Hawks has they advance into the playoffs.
Box Scores:
R H E
Brownwood
1 4 4
Red Oak
2 4 2
Individual Pitching / Hitting
WP—Shelby Hall
3B—RO: Tara McKenney 1.
