Forsan rallies late for nail-biting Game 2 win over Sundown

ANDREWS, TX – Forsan rallied late in the seventh inning to tie the game up and force an extra inning to secure a nail-biting 2-1 win over Sundown Saturday in the Class 2A regional quarterfinals at Andrews High School softball field.

Unlike game one, where the Lady Buffaloes won 7-1, Forsan had to dig deep in order to pull out the win and avoid a game three.

Heading into the top of the seventh and down 1-0, Forsan's Ary'anna Mealing opened the inning with a double line drive to left field. Scout Stockton followed that up with another double line drive this time to right field to bring in Mealing for the tying run.

Sundown would eventually get out of the inning without allowing another run.

In the bottom of the seventh, it appeared that Sundown was well on it's way to forcing a game three after opening the frame with a double and single to place runners on first and second.

Forsan opted to intentionally walk Sundown's third at bat to load the bases with zero outs. However, the Lady Buffs were able to weather the pressure as the Forsan's Makayla Garza struck out the next at bat and allowed her defense to secure the other two outs.

Mealing once again was responsible for igniting the Lady Buffs offense in the top of the eighth. Facing two outs and a runner on second, Mealing singled on a hard ground ball to center field to bring in Lybertee Rodriquez in what would eventually be the winning run.

Sundown opened the top of the eighth with a runner reaching first off of an error by Forsan. On the next at bat, Sundown would ground out on a fielders choice to second. Forsan would secure the win on the next at bat thanks to Rodriquez and K'Dynce

Speck on the double play from second to first to end the game.

“I'm super proud of our girls.” Forsan head softball coach Jason Phillips said after the game. “We haven't had a game like this all year. We normally win by a lot of runs or we lose by a lot of runs so it's great to see these girls really put up a fight today and get the win. I wish we would have played a game like this earlier in the year so I wouldn't have to have a heart attack but no I'm super proud and this is a great win for us today.” Phillips added

Pitching played a vital role once again for both teams as both pitchers from Forsan and Sundown battled all game long. Forsan's Garza threw a complete game for all eight innings giving up just five hits for one run, while only walking two and striking out six.

Sundown's Destiny Garza also went the distance hurling for all eight innings giving up nine hits for two runs, a walk, and retired five at the plate.

'I gotta give credit to their (Sundown) defense.” Phillips said. “They had a great game plan against us and it forced us to make some adjustments in the game that we're not used too but again I'm proud of our kids for fighting all game long and staying with it.”

Forsan’s K’Dynce Speck makes the throw from second to first baseman K’leigh Williams for the double play to end the game Saturday against Sundown.

Mealing and Stockton led the Lady Buffs offense with an RBI each in the game. Mealing finished the game going 2-for-4 at the plate with one run scored, while Stockton finished going 1-for-3.

Forsan's K'leigh Williams went 3-for-4 at the plate which included two doubles.

Forsan (26-6-1) will now face off against Haskell in game one of a best of three-game series in the Class 2A Regional Semifinals this Thursday at Abilene Christian University's Polly Wells Field. Game one start time is set for a 5 p.m.. Game two is set for Friday at 12 p.m. Game three, if needed, will be played on Saturday at 4 p.m.