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THRALL — The Smithville Lady Tigers softball team saw its season come to an end after being swept by Salado in the area round of the playoffs at Thrall High School.
GAME 1
The Lady Tigers struggled to find a rhythm at the plate in a 2-0 loss to Salado April 29. Smithville managed just three hits and struck out a season- high 18 times in the contest.
Addison Otto, Brittney Collins and Jessi Davis each recorded a hit for Smithville. Jessica Hinnant took the loss but delivered a strong performance in the circle, pitching a complete seven innings while allowing two runs on five hits and striking out 11.
Smithville opened the game with three consecutive strikeouts in the top of the first inning, and Salado capitalized in the bottom half. A costly error at third base allowed the Eagles to take an early 1-0 lead.
The Lady Tigers’ offensive struggles continued into the second inning, extending their strikeout streak to six. Salado added what proved to be the final run of the game in the bottom half of the inning, using a leadoff triple to set up a score and push the lead to 2-0.
Smithville threatened in the third inning, putting runners on the corners with two outs following a walk and a double by Otto. However, a strikeout ended the opportunity and halted the momentum.
The Lady Tigers did not get another runner into scoring position until the top of the seventh inning. Back-to-back singles from Collins and Davis put runners on first and second with no outs, giving Smithville a late chance to rally.
That oppor t unit y quickly faded as Collins was caught stealing third, and both Kenna Tiner and Kenzly White struck out to end the game.
GAME 2
Smithville showed more offensive life in Game 2 but ultimately fell 5-2, ending its season without forcing a decisive third game April 30.
The Lady Tigers outhit Salado 7-6 but struggled to capitalize, leaving multiple runners in scoring position throughout the game.
Salado jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first inning on a tworun home run. Smithville had a chance to respond in the bottom half but stranded a runner at second.
The Eagles extended their lead in the second inning, adding two more runs on a single and a fielding error to make it 4-0.
Smithville answered in the third inning when Hinnant delivered a two-RBI single, scoring the Lady Tigers’ only runs of the series and cutting the deficit to two. Despite the momentum shift, Smithville was unable to build on the rally.
Salado added an insurance run in the fifth inning on an RBI single to make it 5-2 and close out the scoring.
In the final inning, Smithville was unable to mount a comeback, going down in order on three straight strikeouts. The Lady Tigers combined for 34 strikeouts over the two-game series.
Hinnant again took the loss in Game 2, allowing five runs while recording 10 strikeouts.
Despite the postseason exit, Smithville put together an impressive season. The Lady Tigers finished with a perfect district record and captured their second consecutive district title.
Looking ahead, Smithville will graduate nine seniors, but a strong group of returning starters provides a solid foundation to pursue a third straight district championship.
