Houston's softball seniors pose with their Senior Night balls after Tuesday night's win over Willow Springs. From left: Katy Evans, Ashley Gilbert, Lilly Kincaid, Natalie Clinton and Gracyn McNiell.
The Houston softball team’s seniors were walk-off winners on their special night.
Gracyn McNiell and Katy Evans homered, and sophomore Izzy Cook hit a bases loaded dribbler that couldn’t be handled in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Lady Tigers beat Willow Springs 13-12 Tuesday on Carter Field.
HHS (14-7, 4-2 SCA) hosts Liberty at 4 p.m. Wednesday before playing Steelville at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Potosi in the opening round of Class 2 District 3. The Lady Tigers are the top seed.
Cook comes through in the clutch
After losing its 6-run advantage as Willow Springs scored 4 times in the sixth and 3 times in the seventh, HHS ended the game in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the seventh. Evans doubled, Benoist had a bunt single and Ava Koch was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Cook then hit a bouncer to first that couldn’t be handled, allowing Evans to score from third with the winning run.
McNiell, Evans go yard for Lady Tigers
McNiell (pictured) homered leading off the bottom of the first and Evans hit a 2-run shot in the fifth for the team’s 22nd and 23rd homers of the season. Evans has 7 homers – just 2 shy of tying her school record – and McNiell has 4. Both had 3 hits apiece and combined to score 5 times and knock in 5 runs.
Cold, rain day in May
Ava Koch shields her face from rain in the bottom of the first inning. A cold, rainy front swept into the area early in the afternoon. There was a steady mist and light rain throughout the game.
Offense rolls, defense struggles
Ashley Gilbert follows through for one of her team-high 4 hits against the Lady Bears. HHS out-hit Willow Springs 18-7 and scored in every inning. But the Lady Tigers committed 7 errors, leading to 9 unearned runs.
Houston stays hot entering postseason
HHS has won four straight and 8 of its last 10 as the regular season winds down. The Lady Tigers are averaging 12.6 runs per game during the winning stretch.
Victory for team’s 5 seniors
A 4-year starter, Evans stands on second base after her double to lead off the bottom of the seventh. She is one of the team’s five seniors. McNiell, Gilbert and Kincaid are 3-year starters and Natalie Clinton entered the starting lineup in center field this season.
