Costly errors spell the end of the line

MUMFORD — The Woodlands coach Tim Borths knew Austin Bowie was a formidable opponent — everyone playing this deep in the playoffs is.

And so it was that Borths’ Lady Highlanders played well, just not well enough to take down Bowie on Friday night.

A costly error by The Woodlands allowed Bowie to steal Game 1 2-1, and an early error in Game 2 put the Lady Highlanders in a tough hole as the Lady Bulldawgs won 3-0 to sweep the Class 6A Region II finals.

Bowie advances to the state semifinals.

“Hats off to Bowie,” Borths said. “Alexandra McLennon pitched lights out, and their defense made plays behind her. They were pretty much flawless in the field and didn’t let us get any cheap ones.”

The Lady Highland- ers (31-11) got on the board early in Game 1 thanks to a two-out single by senior catcher Kelcy Leach that drove in Skylar Stockton from second base for a 1-0 advantage.

But in the top of the sixth inning, Bowie (31-4) finally got to Emily Langkamp, loading the bases with one out.

Jaqueline Ramos laid down a perfect bunt down the third-base line, forcing third baseman Skylar Sirdashney to make a hurried throw to Leach at home. Sirdashney’s throw was low and got to the backstop, allowing two runs to come home for Bowie.

Langkamp allowed two runs on six hits and no walks, while striking out four in the opener.

Skylar Stockton and Sirdashney each went 3-for-3 for The Woodlands in Game 1. Leach was also perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double, two walks and an RBI.

In Game 2, Bowie built a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third thanks to an error by Leach.

With runners on second and third, Deja Hubbard reached first safely on a bunt that rolled in front of home plate. Leach’s throw to first was late and off target. The ball got past Lindsey Fischkelta and made it all the way to the right-field wall, allowing two runners to score and Hubbard to advance to third.

Hubbard was eventually singled in from third to give the Lady Bulldawgs their third run.

Langkamp got the loss in Game 2 as well despite allowing three unearned runs on four hits and two walks over three innings of work.

McLennan was lights out again, allowing four hits and four walks in the complete-game shutout.

“Still so proud of our team and of our seniors,” Borths said. “Putting our name back on the map, that is a testament to their work ethic and everything we’ve done as a group. This team has been a pleasure to coach. They like each other and work well together.

“Tonight just wasn’t our night.