Three no-hitters start season

The softball season is finally upon us. The scrimmages are over and the games now count. For the reigning state finalist Aledo Ladycats, the expectations are nothing short of a state title.

The season officially started on Feb. 15 with a bang as ace-pitcher Kayleigh Smith tossed a no-hitter in five innings to defeat Decatur 18-1.

The Ladycats dominated from the get-go, scoring four runs in the first inning, one in the second and third, seven in the fourth and five in the fifth. The lone Decatur run came after two walks, an error and a hit by pitch in the second inning.

Smith struck out eight and only allowed two walks in the no-hit effort.

On Feb. 17, Aledo started its first tournament in Forney. The first game against Little Elm saw Nathalie Touchet get the win, and a four-run third inning lift the team to its second win, followed by an offensive battle with Flower Mound Marcus that saw the Ladycats hold off the Lady Marauders 9-8, highlighted by an Allison Mallard home run in the fifth inning to get the team over the hump.

In its lone game on Feb. 18, the girls faced a tough Rockwall team that jumped out to an early lead and never looked back to hand Aledo its first loss by a score of 10-0.

The tournament concluded on Saturday, Feb. 19 with two incredible pitching performances. First, Touchet took the circle against Whitehouse and went right to work. Eight strikeouts, two walks and 19 batters later, Touchet and the Ladycats stood victorious with another no-hitter by a score of 5-0.

The final game was much the same as sophomore Brenlee Gonzales struck out ten and only allowed one walk in what was a record third no-hitter in one week. Reagan Davis, Presley Hull, and Madysen Boutwell all created the offensive sparks, each getting a home run in the contest and giving Aledo a 6-0 win.

The Ladycats are off to a 5-1 start in their quest for the title that eluded them last year. Their next game will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Ladycat Park.