The Sulphur Springs Lady Wildcats clinched their eighth consecutive district championship Tuesday, following a 9-6 home win over the North Lamar Pantherettes. Despite facing adversity late in the game, the Lady Wildcats held on to win the game.
Prior to the game, the Lady Wildcats held a senior night ceremony for their three seniors: Bayler Boatman, KK Montgomery and Gracie Thompson.
In the first inning, the Lady Wildcats built a 4-0 advantage early on. Addison Woodall set the tone with a three-run home, in which Chloe Johnson and Shaelee Friddle also scored, giving Sulphur Springs a 3-0 lead. On the following at-bat, Claire Thompson hit a solo home run, extending the lead to 4-0.
After a scoreless second inning, the Pantherettes got on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, trimming the deficit to 4-2. The Lady Wildcats extended their lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the third inning when Woodall and Montgomery both launched solo home runs.
In the fourth inning, the Lady Wildcats raised their lead to 7-2 when Hannah Speed launched a solo home run. Sulphur Springs’ lead increased to 8-2 in the fifth inning when Gracie Thompson scored run.
The Pantherettes refused to go down lightly, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning and trimming the deficit to 8-5. The Lady Wildcats extended their lead to 9-5 in the bottom of the second inning when Speed hit her second solo home run of the game.
Though the Pantherettes scored one more run in the top of the seventh inning, North Lamar couldn’t make a comeback, as Sulphur Springs capped off a 9-6 victory.
As a team, the Lady Wildcats batted nine for 27 (.333) from the plate. Speed led the way with a three-for-three performance. Woodall recorded two hits, while Brailie Blevins, Montgomery, Claire Thompson and Gracie Thompson added one hit each.
Speed and Woodall shared top scoring honors with two runs each, while Friddle, Johnson, Montgomery, Claire Thompson and Gracie Thompson added one run each.
Speed earned the win in the circle. Across seven innings, she struck out 12 batters and allowed just seven hits, six runs (one earned) and one walk.
With the win, the Lady Wildcats improved to 7-0 in district and 21-5 overall. They resumed action Friday, traveling to Texarkana to face off against the Pleasant Grove Lady Hawks.