Ladycats take game one

The Aledo Ladycats softball team played host to the Colleyville Heritage Panthers for game one of the third round in the University Interscholastic League 5A playoffs, and behind a strong defensive performance came away with a 4-1 win to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

Kayleigh Smith got the start in the circle for Aledo and went a full seven innings only giving up one run on four hits.

“Kayleigh has never been one to get all of the strikeouts,” head coach Heather Myers said after the game. “Don’t get me wrong, she loves striking people out but she is more than willing to go out there and let her defense play behind her.”

The Ladycats jumped into the driver’s seat from the start, as Texas Ray and Madysen Boutwell worked their way into scoring position, setting up Presley Hull’s hard hit down the third base line, scoring both runners.

Ana Flores drove in Hull in the next at bat with a triple to center field to make it a 3-0 Aledo lead after one inning.

Heritage got a run back in the third inning on a fielder’s choice but it was their only run of the game.

The Ladycats made it a three run lead again in the fourth inning when Macy Graf hit a sacrifice fly into left field and Claire Byars was able to just come in under the tag to bring the tally to 4-1.

The final three innings became a defensive showdown, and thanks to Smith’s pitching the stellar infield play of Graf, Boutwell, Ray and Ana Flores the Ladycats shut out Heritage the rest of the way, sealing the game one victory.

“I’m always pleased with our defense,” Myers gave credit after the game. “That’s something that we have worked and worked and worked on. At this point we’re just going to do the fundamental things.”

Game two will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, May 13 at Colleyville Heritage High School. The starting pitcher is unknown at this time.