Trailing 8-6 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Brownwood Lady Lions struck for three runs to regain the lead, then escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh for a 9-8 home victory over the Mineral Wells Lady Rams Friday night, their first in District 6-4A softball action this season.
The Lady Lions (7-9, 1-1) witnessed a 5-1 lead vanish in the top of the fourth inning, only to reclaimed a 6-5 edge in the bottom of the frame. Mineral Wells (10-14, 1-1) then tallied three runs in the sixth inning, which put Brownwood in its most pressure-packed situation of the season.
Brownwood responded in the bottom of the sixth as Jeniffer Romero led off with a single, Lila Mares added a one-out base hit, and Peyton Pena’s RBI single plated Romero to bring the Lady Lions within 8-7. Tynlea Wilson followed with a ground ball that was booted for an error, allowing Mares to score the tying run.
With runners on the corners, Cadyn Christmas – running for Wilson – was able to swipe second base on a steal and Pena came home from third base on the back half of the double steal to push the Lady Lions in front for good, 9-8.
Wilson retired the first two Mineral Wells batters in the top of the seventh inning, then walked the bases loaded before a ground out ended the contest.
Wilson picked up the win as she yielded eight runs – none earned – on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts as the defense committed eight errors behind her.
Down 1-0 heading to the bottom of the second inning, Brownwood seized a 4-1 lead. Pena led off with a walk, Jakayla Peek reached on a one-out free pass and Karina Mata’s RBI single knotted the score. Maitlyn Esquivel’s bunt allowed Peek to come home with the go-ahead run, while Carlee Burks followed with an RBI single and Mares later reached on an error that produced the fourth run.
In the third inning, Wilson started the frame with double and Peek’s RBI triple scored Christmas, running for Wilson, to boost the advantage to 5-1.
After Mineral Wells pulled even at 5, Romero walked to start the bottom of the fourth and scored on an RBI sacrifice bunt by Mares.
Brownwood finished with 10 hits, drew three walks and were aided by six Mineral wells errors. Burks led the way with two hits while Romero, Mares, Pena, Wilson, Peek, Mata, Esquivel and Chloe Walls added one each. Claiming RBIs were Burks, Pena, Wilson, Peek, Mata and Esquivel.
The Lady Lions are back in action at 6:30 p.m. Monday as they visit Graham (15-7, 0-1), which lost to Stephenville (8-10, 1-1) by a 5-4 count Friday.