Lindsey, Campbell power Kingwood past Atascocita
Maddie Lindsey struck out 11 in a complete-game effort, and Jourdyn Campbell hit two home runs — both two-run bombs over center — in No. 5 Kingwood’s 7-4 victory over No. 3 Atascocita Friday at Kingwood.
“Obviously, we saw them twice in district so far, and fortunately we came out on top both times, but I have no doubt we’ll see them again in playoffs,” Mustangs coach Lauren Hendrix said. “They’re a great ballclub.”
The two Humble ISD schools met five times last season, with Kingwood taking the first matchup in the Cy-Fair ISD tournament final, and the Eagles sweeping the district and regional finals. They also were co-district champs because Atascocita dropped two other games.
“I try to tell the kids to play every game the same, but that’s just not the case,” Hendrix said. “This game means a little bit more.”
Kingwood (20-3, 8-0) won their first meeting 121. The rematch took longer but ended with the same result, giving Kingwood a leg up on the Eagles (15-2, 6-2) in the title hunt.
“It’s a great feeling,” Hendrix said “It’s really cool for our kids, and it’s such a close community, and they’re so close to us, that it’s really exciting when you pull off the win.”
The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead in the first on Brooke Johnson’s solo homer.
The Eagles used a fourrun third to grab a 4-1 advantage, with Macie Pampell supplying a three-run home run, but the Mustangs got two back in the bottom of the third on Campbell’s first two-run shot. Her second two-run blast gave Kingwood the lead for good in the fifth. Campbell went 3-for-4 with four RBIs.
“There’s no explanation for her,” Hendrix said. “She was just on fire (Friday). She lit it up.”
Johnson was 2-for-2, with three runs scored and two walks. The Eagles managed only five hits against Lindsey.
Jason McDaniel is a freelance writer.