In the final game of the 2024 regular season, the Houston High School softball team lost 6-5 Tuesday at Plato.
With the score tied at 5-5 with 2 outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore Taylor Utley delivered a walk-off RBI single to give the host Lady Eagles the victory.
The two teams traded blows throughout the contest, which included four lead changes and multiple ties.
Lady Tigers sophomore Ashley Gilbert went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in 2 runs in the game, while sophomore second baseman Katy Evans had a 2-run double in the top of the third inning to put Houston up 4-1 at the time.
Sophomore Lilly Kincaid got the start in the pitcher’s circle for Houston and worked 3 full innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 1 and walking 2. Senior Kelsey Pritchett the worked 3 2/3 innings, allowing 3 hits and 3 earned runs while fanning 7 and walking 2.
Utley tossed a complete game for Plato, allowing 6 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 7 and not issuing a walk.
Next up for the Lady Tigers (16-3) is the Class 2 District 3 Tournament at Potosi.
Houston is the No. 1 seed in the 9-team event and is scheduled to play a first round game at noon Saturday (May 4) against the winner of a Thursday play-in game between eighth-seeded Bourbon and No. 9 Kingston. Other teams in the bracket include No. 2 Steelville, No. 3 West County (of Leadwood), No. 4 Potosi, No. 5 Licking, No. 6 Salem and No. 7 Grandview (of Hillsboro).
The tournament semifinals are set for Monday and the championship game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday (May 7).
Houston has earned two straight district championships, winning the Class 2 District 3 Tournament last year at Potosi and the Class 2 District 4 Tournament at Mansfield in 2022.
Meanwhile, Plato (17-6) will play in the Class 1 District 4 Tournament at Mansfield. The Lady Eagles are the top-seeded team in the event’s 8-team bracket.
