The Wylie East softball team played great defense Wednesday, but couldn’t capitalize with runners on base in a 5-3 loss to Garland. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
GARLAND — The Wylie East softball team came into Wednesday’s game with a specific plan on how to attack Garland freshman pitcher Taylor Harrell.
Lay off pitches outside of the strike zone, build up her pitch count and score when there are runners on base.
Wylie East accomplished its goal in regard to pitch count. The Lady Raiders making Harrell throw 153 pitches, but scoring with runners on base proved to be a goal that the Lady Raiders couldn’t meet. Wylie East stranded 12 base runners in a 5-3 loss to Garland on Wednesday, including leaving the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning.
Down to its final out, Wylie East loaded the bases after Kennley Gholson battled back from a 1-2 count to draw a walk. The next batter for the Lady Raiders, Ryan Collins, battled in a nine-pitch at bat. Collins fouled off three pitches to extend the game. However, Harrell forced a swinging strikeout on the next pitch to end the game.
Garland had a chance to distance itself from Wylie East earlier in the game. The Lady Owls hit the ball hard in the first inning and loaded the bases with no outs. However, Lady Raiders pitcher Kinley Kovar limited the damage to one run, an RBI ground-out.
The pitching of Kovar and Grace Maddux prevented Garland from putting together a big inning on offense, and because of their efforts, it gave the Lady Raiders’ lineup chances to stay within striking distance.
Wylie East came alive in the third inning. Haley Perez drew a walk and later scored on a double by Jayleigh Dressler. Kovar gave the Lady Raiders their first lead of the night at 2-1 after she lined an RBI triple over the glove of Garland’s right fielder.
Garland was quick to respond. A two-run single by Samantha Blalock put the Lady Owls back in front, 3-2, in the bottom half of the third, and they extended their lead to 4-2 on an RBI sacrifice fly later in the inning.
After a one-hour delay for lighting in the area, Wylie East went back to work on offense, and the Lady Raiders got to within 4-3 after Dressler scored on a double steal in the fifth inning.
Wylie East threatened for more in the top of the sixth but a controversial call left the Lady Raiders on the short end of a double play. A pop fly that was caught by Harrell on a diving attempt was ruled an out by the home plate umpire. Wylie East’s coaching staff emerged from the dugout and argued that Harrell trapped the ball against her body and should have been ruled as such. However, the call was upheld. Harrell caught the ball and then threw to second base to complete the double play as a Wylie East base runner couldn’t get back to the bag in time.
Garland took a 5-3 lead on a Natalie Arent RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.
The loss dropped Wylie East to 10-5 in District 9-6A. Wylie East and Rowlett are tied for fourth place in 9-6A. If Wylie East beats Wylie on Friday and Rowlett loses to Sachse, the Lady Raiders will qualify for the playoffs. If both Wylie East and Rowlett lose, they will play a play-in game next week to determine the final playoff spot in District 9-6A.
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