WHITEHOUSE, Texas-The middle of Rains lineup unleashed an extra-base barrage Thursday night to help the Lady Cats run away from Hughes Springs, 8-2, in Game 1 of their best-of-three Class 3A Region II semifinal softball series at Whitehouse Complex.
Jasmine Mott, Elissa Elliott and Catrin Hoffman combined for a home run and three doubles, with Elliott driving in three runs and Hoffman pushing home two. Hoffman provided the biggest blast of the evening, a solo home run that clanged off the inside of the foul pole in right field.
It was more than enough run support for Chanlee Oakes. The Rains hurler went the distance, limiting Hughes Springs to two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts.
The loss leaves Hughes Springs (32-5-1) one loss away from being eliminated. Rains moved to 29-1 with the victory. Game 2 is scheduled for 6 p.m. today at Whitehouse Complex. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at 2 p.m. Saturday, also at Whitehouse.
Rains went to work early as Elliott put the Lady Cats in front 2-0 in the top of the first inning off Hughes Springs starter Marisol Kennedy. Kennedy got the first two outs of the inning before a single and walk set the table for Elliott, who smacked a ball that bounced over the left center field wall for a 2-run ground-rule double.
The Lady Cats increased their lead to 5-0 in the third inning. Presley McAree singled, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch before and Oakes drove her home with a squeeze bunt that she beat out for an RBI single. Elliott doubled home the fourth run with Hoffman following with an RBI single.
Hughes Springs broke through in the bottom of the third. A leadoff walk to Grace Pippin was followed by a sac bunt from Abbye McKinney. Karmen Searcy then smashed an offering deep to right field for an RBI double. Marisol Kennedy drove in courtesy runner Lauren Spaniol with an RBI groundout to make it 5-2.
Rains tacked on single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Leo Terry singled and scored, Hoffman launched a solo shot and McAree singled and scored on a double from Jasmine Mott.
The teams reconvene on Friday. A Rains win pushes the Lady Cats to the state quarterfinals. A Hughes Springs victory moves everything to a must-win Saturday contest.
This semifinal series matches two district champions who went undefeated in league play. The Mustangs won the 15-3A crown while Rains waltzed to the 12-3A title.
The winner advances to play either Bells or Harmony in the regional final next week with a state tournament berth on the line.