Burleson Centennial comes back to defeat Aledo Ladycats, 6-3

Burleson Centennial came back from a 2-0 deficit with five unanswered runs on its way to a 6-3 victory over the Aledo Ladycats in a District 8-5A make-up softball game played Wednesday night at Centennial.

The loss drops the Ladycats to 3-2 in district play, while Centennial stays unbeaten at 5-0.

The Ladycats scored the first run of the game in unusual fashion in the top of the third inning.

Designated player (hitter) Hallie Smith struck out, but the ball was mishandled by Centennial catcher Bailey White. As Smith motored toward first base in an attempt to reach the bag on the dropped third strike rule, White's throw to first base sailed over the first baseman's head and rolled down the right field line to the fence.

Smith touched all the bases and scored without a throw to put the Ladycats in front, 1-0.

The next batter, left-fielder Lindsey McElroy, drew a walk, and she advanced to second base after the following batter, shortstop Mykayla Stroud, lined a base hit to right field. Center-fielder Kadyn Kirkpatrick followed and reached base on a fielder's choice to load the bases.

Two batters later, with the bases loaded and two outs, third baseman Bailee Whitener patiently drew a walk to plate McElroy as Aledo led 2-0.

Centennial, however, got both runs back in the bottom of the frame. The Lady Spartans swatted three of their 13 hits in the inning - two of which drove in a run - as the hosts tied the contest, 2-2.

In the fourth inning the Lady Spartans scored a pair of runs on four hits to take a 4-2 lead, and in the fifth Centennial added a run on three hits to increase their lead to 5-2.

The Ladycats cut the lead to 5-3 with a run in the sixth. Whitener worked a one-out walk and advanced to second base on a single by pitcher Hannah Andrews. The next batter, catcher Macy Hale, walked to load the bases. Second baseman Brynn Hellman's single drove in Whitener to cut the lead to two runs.

Centennial then replaced starting pitcher Hayley Murrell with relief pitcher Crystal Peebles, who struck out the last two batters to end the rally.

Centennial added a run on two hits and two walks in the bottom of the sixth to stretch the lead to 6-3.

The Ladycats had one last chance at the plate in the seventh. Kirkpatrick ripped a one-out double off the center-field fence, but Peebles, who struck out the lead-off hitter in the frame, induced a ground out and struck out the last batter to earn the save.

The Ladycats will return to district action at 7 p.m. Tuesday at home against Granbury.