Lady Lions ousted
MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas— New Boston’s softball season ended Friday night at Northeast Texas Community College’s Lady Eagle Field.
In a pitcher’s duel in a Region II-3A bi-district playoff series, Prairiland scored the runs when
it need them and shut out the Lady Lions, 3-0.
“This was my first year in softball, and I knew we had some talent,” New Boston head coach Justin Arsenault said. “The seniors put in a lot of hard work for this team. I would like to win a playoff game; we haven’t won a playoff game in about five years.
“These girls came out and competed hard every time and that’s all I could ask for.”
Lady Patriot pitcher Bri Calabria struck out five, scattered eight hits, and walked four. Prairiland won the best-of-three series 2 games to none.
New Boston pitcher Morgan McAlexander gave up two earned runs, allowed seven hits, walked one, and fanned seven.
Prairiland (28-7) advances to play Harleton or Arp in the area round next week.
Prairiland’s Laney Raley led off the third with a triple to deep right center. Calabria had a bunt-single, and Raley scored on a New Boston throwing error to make it 1-0.
New Boston’s Hannah White beat out a throw to first for a single to lead off the third. McAlexander followed with a hot roller single to left. Carlee Ratcliff walked to load the bases, but Prairiland’s Calabria worked out of the jam without allowing any runs.
Alexis Morden hit a Texas Leaguer over third base for a single with two outs in the fourth for New Boston, but was left stranded.
The Lions’ Hannah White, who had walked, made it to third in the fifth after a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, but she didn’t score following a groundout.
Lauren Miller started the sixth with a hit over the shortstop’s head and stretched it into a double for Prairiland. Kayla Spray followed with a single, and Lily Gilbert slapped a run-single single to score Miller.
Up 2-0, Madi Gray skied a sacrifice fly that went for an RBI to put the Patriots up 3-0 after six frames. It would be all the runs Prairiland needed.
The Lions stranded 11 runners while the Lady Patriots left three on base.
New Boston ends its season at 21-10.