Hays second baseman Maddy Shannon gets in position to field an infield fly during the Lady Rebels’ 4-2 loss against Lockhart on Friday. The Lady Rebs have clinched at least a fourth-place tie in district. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by JASON GORDON
The Hays High softball team could have wrapped up a playoff spot Friday night with a win against Lockhart, but the Lady Rebel bats were cooled off for one of the few times in recent weeks.
Hays fell 4-2 to the Lady Lions on Senior Night at Rebel Field.
Now, Hays must hope Lehman beats Alamo Heights, or the Lady Rebs will have one final chance to clinch a postseason spot with a win at Canyon on Thursday.
If both Alamo Heights and Canyon win, Hays and Alamo Heights will have to play a one-game playoff for District 27-4A’s final postseason spot.
Hays, which has still won five of its last eight games, fell to 5-6 in District 27-4A with the loss. Alamo Heights is sitting at 4-7 in district with one regular season game to go for each ballclub.
“You always want to control your own destiny, and we still have a chance to do that,” said Hays assistant coach Aaron Fuller. “We don’t want to leave anything up to anyone else to accomplish for us. We want to take care of our own business, but at the very least we know we have a tie for fourth place wrapped up.”
Hays junior Kelsea Sadler agreed with Fuller.
“The ideal situation is for us to win Thursday, but no matter what we’re all prepared to fight for our spot,” Sadler said. “If we have to, we will come out strong against Alamo Heights because we know that will be our last shot. This team has fought too long and worked so hard to lose a playoff spot now.”
Against perennial area softball power Lockhart, who has wrapped up the second seed in the playoffs behind district champ Smithson Valley, the Lady Lions slowly built a lead.
Lockhart starting pitcher Briana Ortiz did plenty of damage at the plate as well, knocking home Mikaela Flores with a two-out single in the top of the first inning to give the Lady Lions a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third, it was again an Ortiz RBI single that brought home Jessica Henderson to make it 2-0.
Lockhart added some much-needed insurance runs in the top of the fifth when Mackinzee Gabriel’s double scored Amanda Capello and Ortiz’ infield single scored Chelsea Capello, and the Lady Lions led 4-0.
Hays was finally able to rally in the bottom of the fifth, as Maddy Shannon singled and stole second before scoring on Kinna Kinsey’s single to center. Emily Opheim’s fly to center was dropped for an error, allowing Kinsey to race home, making it 4-2.
Hays threatened again in the bottom of the sixth, but left Gaby Albarez stranded on third base. The Lady Rebs didn’t make any noise in the bottom of the seventh, as Lockhart was able to hang on for the win.
“Lockhart is a very good team that’s going to do well in the playoffs,” said Fuller. “It was a game we would have loved to have won, but a close loss to a team like that is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Hays paid tribute to its four seniors, Mary Ann Rizo, Dani Alvarado, Leah Couch and Ashley Miller on Senior Night.
“They have all meant a lot to the program,” Hays head coach Joanna Farr said. “It’s always special to be able to recognize seniors who put a lot of effort into your program.”
If Hays does wind up having a one-game playoff with Alamo Heights to determine who gets 27-4A’s fourth and final playoff spot, it will likely take place Saturday at a site and time to be determined.
