Prairiland shuts out Lady Hawks, 3-0, in softball game

TEXARKANA, Texas — Randi Crawford threw a one-hitter and Kyndall Yaross drove a two-run shot over the gap in left center to lift Prairiland to a 3-0 win over Pleasant Grove in girls’ softball action Tuesday at Hawk Field.

The Lady Patriots, District 12-3A champions and regional semifinalists a year ago, improved to 5-2-1 and gave every indication they plan another deep playoff run this year.

“We lost two or three key performers off that team, but we’re starting to jell,” said Prairiland coach Brian Morris.

Crawford had a sterling outing, striking out nine while allowing just two baserunners for PG, which fell to 5-6-1.

Pleasant Grove starter Sarah Hackleman kept her team in the game, scattering nine hits and striking out three.

She pitched her way out of jams in the third, sixth and seventh innings. The fourth, however, was decisive.

Senior third baseman McKenna Guest, who usually starts on the mound and picked up the bulk of the wins on a 27-6-1 team a year ago, led off with a solid single to left. Yaross’ ensuing blast proved to be all the offense Prairiland would need.

Pleasant Grove’s senior shortstop, Adi Koller, had a half-dozen sterling plays, including a leaping spear of a hot line drive up the middle to end the sixth inning with runners in scoring position.

“Defensively, we made plays and pitching we put together seven solid innings,” said PG coach Becca Collom. “We just must adjust at the plate. We had way too many watched strikes. We must be aggressive and know we can attack.”

The Lady Hawks will compete in the Marshall Tournament at the end of this week. District play begins March 17.