First action in the UIL Softball playoffs can be brutal such as the Thursday night between Kennedale and Diamond Hill of Fort Worth. The two coaches had decided either by a flip of a coin or by mutual agreement that this would be a one-game, take-it-all deal. Kennedale came out as the winner in a big way when it downed the #3 seed from District 9/4A by a score of 25-2.
Along with the 25 runs by the Lady Kats, came 20 hits that included one home run, three triples, and six doubles along with eleven stolen bases and 16 RBIs. These are three/four game numbers wrapped up into one.
Started early …
Kennedale started strong in the bottom of the first with 8 runs but added 15 more in the bottom of the 3rd. By the time the game was ended by rule in the bottom of the 5th, the Lady Kats had added two more runs and the Lady Eagles had mustered two.
Two shone …
Kaydee Mantell earned the win for the Lady Kats. She surrendered zero runs on zero hits over three innings, striking out two. Mantell threw 43 pitches with 26 strikes. Isabel Martinez threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Mantell complimented her pitching performance with three hits that came on a single and two doubles that earned 3 RBIs. But it was Martinez’s performance at the plate that also stood out during this over-the-top win. She had four hits with a single and a homer in the first, another single in the third, and finally a triple in the third. With all these balls flying from her bats, she led the team in RBIs with 5.
But there were others …
Ella Loker had three runs with three hits including two doubles and one RBI. Cadence Verona added two runs on two hits including a triple and 3 RBIs. Jessie Willingham had 3 runs on two hits and an RBI. Kayla Williamson contributed a double while Kaylyn Riley added a triple.
From 64 to 32 – Area next …
When the Kats come back down to earth, they will get another chance to move the team further into the state playoffs with an area game set for next weekend. The opponent will be either Aubrey or Wilmer-Hutchins. Aubrey is the top seed from District 11/4A while Hutchins is the 4th seed from District 12/4A. Their bi-district playoff game was set to play this Friday evening, weather permitting.
More to come on that game.
