Ladycats outlast Birdville to capture area title in 11 innings

BOSWELL - A pair of defensive errors by Birdville in the top of the 11th inning allowed Delaney Rosser to cross the plate for the go-ahead run as the Aledo Ladycats pulled off the 3-2 win on Thursday, May 2, in their Class 5A area-round playoff game at Boswell HIgh School.

The one-and-done affair lasted longer time-wise than the entire best-of-three series against Everman in the bi-district round a week ago when the Ladycats swept a doubleheader 15-0 and 14-0 on April 25. The Ladycats were able to polish off the Lady Bulldogs in a combined eight innings in that series.

The win over Birdville (24-9) advances Aledo (30-3) into a third-round matchup with Joshua (28-8), which swept Granbury in their best-of-3 area series. Game times and sites are yet to be determined.

Pitching and defense wins championships

The Ladycats had both in spades on Thursday. Taylor McKean started in the circle for Aledo, throwing a post-season gem. McKean gave up one run off five hits while striking out seven in her five innings of work before being replaced by Brenlee Gonzales to start the bottom of the sixth inning.

With the Ladycats leading 2-1, Gonzales went right to work, sitting down the Lady Hawks in order in the bottom of the sixth.

Kyleigh Pawlak led off the top of the seventh with a single up the middle for just the fourth hit of the game for Aledo. Unfortunately, the Ladycats were unable to capitalize on the early baserunner as Birdville got out of the inning without any damage done.

Three outs from victory, Gonzales and the defense took the field looking to close out the game. However, a lead-off single followed by a two-base fielding error put the tying run just 60 feet from the plate. A line drive to left dropped in to put the tying run across for Birdville.

With a runner on first and no outs, the Lady Hawks laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position with one out.

Gonzales collected herself and sat down the next two batters to strand the winning run at second as the game headed for extra innings.

Working extra

Baserunners came at a premium for both teams in the next three innings as neither club managed to gain an advantage. That changed in the top of the 11th as Rosser hit the 1-1 offering to short. An error on the play not only allowed Rosser to reach base safely, but allowed her to advance to second, as well.

With the go-ahead run in scoring position, Ana Flores dropped a bunt down to sacrifice herself as Rosser made her way safely into third with just one out in the inning.

With their best opportunity to put a run across the plate since the fourth inning, Marina Taveras hit the 1-1 offering on the ground to third. The routine play fell apart for the Lady Hawks as a second error in the inning allowed Rosser to score.

In the bottom of the 11th, Birdville started off the inning reaching base on a defensive error by the Ladycats. The next batter Gonzales faced singled to left to put the tying and go-ahead runs on base with no outs.

Pressure makes diamonds and it bursts pipes, as they say. With game on the line and no outs the Ladycats faced plenty of pressure as Gonzales toed the rubber once again. The next batter grounded to Flores at short. Flores threw over to Pawlak at third to get the lead runner on the fielder’s choice for the first out.

With runners still at first and second, Gonzales earned her 10th strikeout of the game for out No. 2.

Just one out from securing the area title, Gonzales was able to produce a ground ball to short. Flores fielded the ball cleanly, made the on-target throw over to Taveras at first in time to complete the routine 6-to-3 play as the Lady Hawks’ season came to an end.

Class 5A area playoff

Aledo vs. Birdville – Thurs, May 2

Aledo hitting: Addie Perry HBP; Delaney Rosser 1-for-5, 2 R, 3B; Ana Flores 1-for-3, 3B, R, RBI; Marina Taveras 2 RBI; Kyleigh Pawlak 1-for-4, BB; Brenlee Gonzals 1-for-4; Taylor McKean BB; Jordan Edington 1-for-4, SB.

Aledo pitching: Taylor McKean 5 IP, 2 H, R (earned), 2 BB, 7 K; Brenlee Gonzales (W) 6 IP, 4 H, R (0 earned), BB, 10 K.