MARSHALL, Texas -- Hughes Springs tried to make a comeback but it fell short in a 10-5 loss to Mount Vernon in Game 2 of a softball Region II-3A final series at East Texas Baptist University's Taylor Field on Saturday.
The Lady Mustangs are out of the playoffs and were defeated, 11-1, in Game 1 on Thursday. The Lady Tigers advanced to the state tournament.
Hughes Springs (29-6-1) starting pitcher Grace Pippin absorbed the loss, threw 7 innings, gave up 10 runs (8 earned) on 16 hits, hit 2 batters and walked 5. The Mustangs committed 5 errors in the field.
Left-handed pitcher Alexa Taylor earned the win for the Lady Tigers, tossed 7 innings, gave up 5 runs on 13 hits, had 2 strikeouts, walked one and induced 14 flyouts.
The Mustangs rallied with 3 runs in the sixth frame but the 2-out rally just fell short.
Jacee Short led off with a single to right field to start the Hughes Springs sixth. Sha'Leigh Johnson singled and Cali Freeman followed with a single to right field. Emma McKinney slapped an RBI double through the hole at short to make it 8-3. Pippin smacked a 2-run double to help bridge the gap, 8-5, headed into the final frame.
Mount Vernon plated 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 Hughes Springs errors in the seventh to extend its lead, 10-5. Taylor retired the Mustang side as the Tigers clinched the win. Mount Vernon did not commit any errors.
Emma McKinney had an infield single and moved up to second on a stolen base for Hughes Springs. Pippin smacked a hot roller single past the diving second baseman for the Mustangs' first run, 2-1, in the first.
Mount Vernon plated 5 runs on 5 consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly to take a 7-1 lead in the top of the second. Riley Lowery laced in a single to right field for Hughes Springs but no runs materialized.
Cali Freeman singled up the middle to lead off the third for the Mustangs. McKinney followed with a double to deep right and Pippin had an RBI single through the hole at short to make it 8-2 in favor of the Tigers.