Hays’ Hannah Ramsey bolts out of the batter’s box after lining an RBI-single. The Lady Rebels are hot at the right time, winning three straight to climb back in the playoff picture. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by JASON GORDON
The Hays High softball team is getting pretty good at must-win games.
The Lady Rebs have reeled off three straight victories to put themselves right back in the playoff hunt.
Not bad for a team that started out 0-3 in District 27-4A.
Hays is now 5-5 in district play after knocking off Clemens 7-0 Monday night. The Lady Rebels need a win in one of their final two games to secure at least a tie for the district’s fourth and final playoff spot.
“After starting out 0-3, we knew we dug ourselves a hole,” said Hays assistant coach Aaron Fuller. “Our last three victories over Lehman, Alamo Heights and Clemens have been games we had to win if we wanted a chance to make the playoffs. Our girls stepped up to the plate and took care of all three.”
Against Clemens, Julia Montoya threw the first shutout of the season for the Lady Rebels, scattering nine hits over seven innings while walking only one batter and striking out four.
“Pitching is the name of the game in softball,” Fuller said. “Julia came up with a great performance for us at the right time.”
Through six innings, however, Clemens’ Sarah Abbott matched Montoya pitch for pitch, as neither team could push a run across the plate.
In the top of the seventh, Hays finally got to Abbott, sending 12 batters to the plate in a seven-run frame.
McKinna Kinsey’s single between first and second base scored Hannah Ramsey and Maddy Shannon to put Hays up 2-0, and Ashley Miller’s single to left that plated Kinsey made it 3-0.
Hays didn’t let off the gas pedal, as Kelsea Sadler’s double to the right-centerfield gap brought Emily Opheim home, and Gabi Albarez’s two-RBI single to left scored Miller and Sadler.
Albarez raced home after a wild pitch, and Hays led 7-0 heading to the bottom of the seventh.
“Our bats finally came around,” Fuller said. “Hitting is contagious, and it certainly was in that seventh inning for us.”
Friday night against Alamo Heights, Hays trailed 7-1 in the third inning before exploding for 15 unanswered runs to win 16-7.
An 8-run fifth inning was the key. Miller and Sadler had two RBIs each and Shannon, Opheim and Ramsey all shipped in with RBIs of their own to help turn the game into a blowout.
“The season started out rough, but everyone has really stepped up their game,” Sadler said. “We’re looking to finish the season strong. Getting to the playoffs is our goal now and we’re prepared to give whatever it takes to secure a spot.
Hays will honor seniors Dani Alvarado, Mary Ann Rizo, Leah Couch and Miller when it hosts Lockhart for its final regular-season home game. The Lady Rebels will close out the season at Canyon next Friday night.
