EARLY – The Early Lady Horns moved into sole possession of second place in the District 8-3A softball standings Friday with a 15-0 victory over Peaster, coupled with Bangs’ 11-8 loss to league leader Brock.
In the win for the Lady Horns (20-6, 9-3) over Peaster (8-4 in district), Early scored four runs in the first inning, one in the second, and 10 in the third frame.
The Lady Horns generated 14 hits, drew five walks and took advantage of a pair of Peaster errors.
In the circle, Teagan Lopez hurled a one-hitter with two strikeouts and one walk.
At the plate, Taylor Summers led the way with three hits and two RBIs; Trinity Torrez chipped in three hits as well; Jordyn McIntire finished with two hits and a pair of RBIs; Aubrey Graves and Grace LaRue each contributed a pair of hits with one RBI; Jordan Simmons collected two RBIs with one hit; and Marissa Reedy notched one hit with one RBI.
Playoff-bound Early visits Eastland Tuesday and hosts Dublin Friday in its final two games of the regular season.
In Bangs’ (13-7, 8-4) loss to Brock (17-6, 10-2), the Lady Dragons took a 3-1 lead in the first inning but trailed 7-5 after two frames. Brock boosted the lead to 8-5 in the fourth and scored three more runs in the top of the sixth. Bangs answered with three in the bottom of the sixth before the rally ended.
Bangs finished with 12 hits – three by Emily Baker; two, including a triple, and four RBIs from McKenzie Hughes; two and a pair of RBIs from Jadyn Miller; two hits from Neeley Bradley; one hit and two RBIs from Abby Wolf; and one hit each from Jacee Miller and Mariah Ruiz.
In the circle, Wolf gave up seven earned runs on 15 hits with eight strikeouts and one walk, and the Lady Dragons committed a pair of errors.
Bangs wraps up the regular season at fourth seed Peaster Tuesday and at home against Eastland Friday, still looking to ensure a postseason berth. The Lady Dragons – the current third seed in 8-3A – lead fifth seed Comanche (6-6) by two games with two contests remaining.