CALDWELL— The Lady Texan’s season is over.
After a great 29-8-2 season, the Wimberley High School softball team faced a tough 37-6 Liberty High School team, led by ace pitcher Bayleigh Taylor, who was solid again from the circle during the University Interscholastic League Class 4A Softball Semifinal match up at Caldwell High School in Caldwell last Thursday night. Taylor threw a no-hitter to lead the Lady Panthers to a 4-0 win, advancing to the Class 4A Division II State Championship to face Brock High School.
At Thursday’s game in Caldwell, after two scoreless innings, Liberty scored a run in the bottom of the third for a 1-0 lead.
Liberty’s Kaylin Heuitt took a ball to open the frame, and then, ripped a line drive triple to left field.
Taylor then came up to bat and drove the first pitch down the third base line to single and score Heuitt from third.
The Wimberley defense then shut Liberty down in the inning, despite having bases loaded.
The fourth inning was scoreless for both teams.
Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Liberty’s Kylee Bishop opened up the frame with a single to center and advanced to second on a Wimberley error.
Lady Panther Kinley Brashier then hit a ground out to advance Bishop to third.
Liberty’s Abbie Key then hit a long fly ball over the center field fence to extend the Lady Panters’ lead to 3-0.
In the top of the sixth, Wimberley’s Emorie Gahan reached base with two outs after hitting a ground ball to third and the Liberty third baseman committing an error. However, Liberty’s Taylor struck out the next Wimberley batter with three pitches for the third out.
The Lady Panthers scored their final run in the bottom of the sixth.
Liberty’s Izzy Reyes started the inning with a single to short.
Then, Heuitt singled to short to advance Reyes to second.
With Liberty’s Taylor up to bat, both base runners advanced a base on a passed ball. Then, Taylor walked to load the bases.
Liberty’s Bishop then lined out to Wimberley left fielder Ansley Davis who made a spectacular catch -- keeping the runners on base.
Lady Panther Brashier then grounded into a fielder’s choice with Wimberley shortstop Ella Patek throwing home for the force out of Reyes.
Liberty then put Marley Mouton in the game as a courtesy runner for Taylor.
With two outs and the bases still loaded, Heuitt scored on a passed ball with the other base runners advancing to second and third. However, Wimberley was able to pick off Mouton in a hot box along the third base line for the third out.
In the top of the seventh with one out, Wimberley was able to get a baserunner on first when Reagan Kenley was hit by a pitch.
However, the Liberty defense held her at first with a fly ball out to center and Taylor striking out the final Wimberley batter of the game.
