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ELGIN
The Lady Wildcats opened their softball season with a thrilling 9-8 victory over Canyon Lake Feb. 10, using a four-run fourth inning to seize momentum and hold off a late rally.
Juniors Jaelyn Baker and Miranda Herring powered the offense, combining for four RBIs.
Junior pitcher Katelyn Anderson earned the win in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing eight runs on 10 hits. She struck out 10 batters and worked out of multiple jams to preserve the one-run lead.
Elgin then traveled to College Station to compete in the National Fast pitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic, finishing 1-4 in a series of tightly contested matchups.
The Lady Cats dropped back-to-back 8-7 decisions to Plano and Alamo Heights before earning their lone tournament win with an 8-3 tally over Bryan Rudder.
Elgin closed out tournament play with another narrow 8-7 loss to Pasadena Memorial and a 20-8 setback against Caldwell.
Despite the record, Elgin showed offensive consistency throughout the weekend, scoring at least seven runs in four of its five games.
The Lady Cats faced Taylor after press time Tuesday and will travel to Mumford Feb. 20, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
BASTROP
The Lady Bears opened the year against a tough opponent Feb. 10, falling 13-2 to Westlake before responding with a strong showing at the Killeen Invitational.
The Lady Bears began tournament play with an 8-4 win over Taylor.
Ella Greisenbeck and Karla Spurlock combined for four RBIs to lead the offense. Greisenbeck also picked up the win in the circle, throwing two innings while allowing four runs on two hits and striking out one.
Bastrop carried that momentum into dominant wins over Bruceville-Eddy, 10-2, and Chaparral, 11-2.
The Lady Bears advanced to the tournament final before falling 8-6 to Brownwood in a competitive championship matchup.
Bastrop faced Wimberley on Tuesday and will return to action this weekend at the Marble Falls Tournament.
SMITHVILLE
The Lady Tigers opened the season with a 12-2 loss to Hendrickson before heading to the Columbus Tournament.
Smithville dropped its first three games — 9-1 to Columbia, 3-1 to Columbus and 5-2 to El Campo — but closed the tournament on a high note with a commanding 12-0 win over Almeta.
Emery Baker and Kenzley White sparked the offense, combining for four RBIs. Addison Otto earned the victory in the circle, tossing three scoreless innings and recording five strikeouts.
Smithville faced Westlake on Tuesday and will return to action against Gateway at 7 p.m. in Georgetown.
CEDAR CREEK
The Lady Eagles opened their season with a 24-4 loss to Cameron. Alexyss Gonzales led Cedar Creek at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Cedar Creek continued play at the Lady Texans Showcase in Wimberley but struggled against a challenging field. The Lady Eagles fell to Wimberley, 18-0, Pleasanton, 12-2, and Hendrickson, 10-0.
Cedar Creek will look to regroup this weekend when it competes in the Cameron Tournament.
