White Oak girls blank Pleasant Grove

LONGVIEW, Texas — Larkin Daniels threw her fourth shutout of the young season, homered, and drove in three runs to lead White Oak to a 7-0 win over Pleasant Grove Tuesday night.

In their third year under Nineveh Blankenship, the Ladynecks looked prime for another deep Class 3A playoff run, pounding out 10 hits. Add in four walks, and the hosts kept the pressure on the Lady Hawk defense in every inning.

A year ago, White Oak finished second in its district and went three rounds deep into the playoffs before falling to Hughes Springs.

Sophomores Abby Runion and Sarah Hackelman, and freshman Jacklyn Smith had the Lady Hawk hits. Pleasant Grove entertains Genoa Central on Friday.

“It was a tough night,” said Lady Hawks’ coach Becca Collom. We just need to adjust at the plate and do what we are capable of.

“We will make the necessary changes and come back Friday.”

— Bill Owney

LADY BACKS LOSE 16-3

BENTON, Ark. — Benton used two innings, the second and fifth, to defeat Arkansas High, 16-3, in 5 innings in a Conference 5A-South softball game on the Lady Panthers home diamond.

Arkansas High managed five hits, with Aniyah Arnold and Macie Lee getting two hits each. Lee’s was a 2-run triple.

Losing pitcher Jewell Smart gave up 7 runs on 6 hits in 1 1/3 innings in the circle.

TENNIS TIGERS IN MIDLOTHIAN

MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — The Texas High varsity tennis team competed Tuesday in the Midlothian Invitational.

Marlee Bledsoe placed third in girls ‘A’ singles and the team of Lakyn Austin and Grace Wilson finished fourth in girls ‘A’ doubles.

“It was a very competitive tournament with many quality 5A and 6A programs,” said Tiger coach Toby Watson. “It was some great matches for our kids.”

Other Texas High individual results, included:

Elle Floyd won 2 matches in Girls A Singles Ethan Minor won 2 matches in Boys A Singles

Bramlett Baird won 1 match in Boys B Singles

Katherine Sandefur/Jane Kate Mitchell won 2 matches in Girls A Doubles

Adam McCarter/Ayden Daniel won 2 matches in Mixed B Doubles

William Prewitt/Hayden Henry won 1 match in Mixed B Doubles

TRACK & FIELD HOOKS MEET CANCELED

HOOKS, Texas — Hooks’ annual Mo Pepper Relays have been canceled this year because the Hornets’ boys basketball team is competing in the Class 3A state tournament in San Antonio.

Hooks’ boys squad, sporting a 32-5 record, will face Hitchcock (29-7) in the state semifinals at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Alamodome.