The Lady Tigers topped the Pine Tree Lady Pirates in their second district game, advancing their district record to 2-0, March 16.  

The Lady Tigers started the game fast-paced, only seeing three Pirates at the plate, with two strikeouts and a fly-out. The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the first inning. A lead-off single for sophomore Mollie Fisher set the tone for the offense. Senior Valeria Perez reached on an error, scoring Fisher. At the bottom of the first, The Tigers led 1-0.

The Tigers remained sound on defense, getting out of the top of the second with two strikeouts by senior Lizzie Smith and a ground out, but were unsuccessful at getting runners to home plate. The Tigers remained leading 1-0.

The top of the third was another three-up-three-down outing for the Tiger defense. Senior Lauren Allred advanced the lead in the bottom of the second with a solo home run making the score 2-0.

“Going into my at-bat I just knew I couldn’t chase her pitches out of the zone,” Allred said. “I knew my team needed some momentum and that I needed to produce for them.”

An error by Fisher on an overthrow allowed the Lady Pirates to put a runner in scoring position. However, the Pirates were unable to capitalize on the mistake and ended the inning with no runs. 

Smith and the other Lady Tigers retired the Pirates in order in the top of the fifth with a ground out and two strikeouts. Texas High sophomore Anna Lee boarded with a lead-off single but was left on base.

The Pirates started the inning with a lead-off line drive to right field, and the Tigers generated an out via fielder’s choice, getting the lead runner out at second. A stolen base and a blooper to right field resulted in two runners in scoring position and a line drive to center field scored one run for the Pirates. The Tigers got out of the inning with a double play. 

In the bottom of the six, Allred boarded on an error, followed by a base hit by Perez. Sophomore Caitlin Salisbury laid down a bunt, followed by another bunt by sophomore Mally Lumpkin to score Allred and Perez. At the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers led 4-1. The Tigers took the victory in the top of the seventh inning with two strikeouts and a pop-out. 

Smith led the Tigers to victory in the circle, pitching a complete game, with 11 strikeouts and three walks. 

“I had 11 strikeouts which I’m extremely proud of,” Smith said. “I have been working really hard to perform well for my team.”