SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas-The Lady Lions took all of the momentum early with a rally.
New Boston plated six runs in the third and defeated Howe, 9-2, in Game 1 of a best-of-three series at Sulphur Springs High School's Lady Cat Field on Thursday.
"I thought we played pretty good," Lion head coach B.J. Brown said. "We battled with our at-bats, and the girls did good in staying with the task. Morgan (McAldexander) pitched well, and we enjoyed that."
Game 2 will be back at Lady Cat Field today at 5 p.m. with a Game 3, if needed, to follow.
Lion starter Morgan McAlexander threw six innings, scattered seven hits, struck out seven, walked one and allowed just two runs, one unearned.
New Boston put together a two-out rally in the third.
Alexis Morden hit a single through the third base side to score Haley McAlexander to give the Lions a 1-0 lead with two outs in the third. Grace Duffer, the next batter, walked with the bases juiced to make it 2-0.
McKenzee Thomas smacked a double down the third base line as Angel Evans and Morden scored to give New Boston a 4-0 lead. Lauren Hurst popped in a single to short center, the fielder bobbled the ball, and Duffer and Thomas hustled around to score to pad the Lions' lead, 6-0.
Haley McAlexander hit a bloop single to shallow center for New Boston with an out in the first inning. Haley McAlexander stole second base and landed on third after a fielder's choice, but the Lions failed to bring her home. Thomas singled through the hole at short for New Boston as Grace Duffer, who had walked, moved up to second. Duffer and Thomas stole third and second, respectively, with two outs but were left stranded.
Howe got on the board in the fourth on two singles and a Lion error to make it 6-1.
Hurst smacked a deep shot to left field, and Thomas, who got on with a single, scored to give the Lions an insurance run in the fifth.
Haley McAlexander walked and stole second base in the sixth for New Boston. Morgan McAlexander smashed a triple that hit the left field wall to make it 8-1. Morgan McAlexander scored on a fielder's choice to expand the Lions' lead, 9-1.
The Bulldogs tacked on a run in the sixth on a pair of singles and a New Boston error, 9-2.
Thomas was New Boston's leading hitter as she went 3 for 4 with a double, a two singles and two RBI.
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Morgan McAlexander, Lauren Hurst (7) and Angel Evans. Torrey Stubblefield, Courtney Hopper (5) and Payton Griffin. WP-McAlexander. LP-Stubblefield.