Players for the Wylie softball team greet Amira Forbit at home plate after she hit a home run in Game 1 of a Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff game against Royse City on Thursday. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media
By Mark Saldana
The Wylie Pirates softball team opened their postseason Thursday night with a 9-5 loss to Royse City in Game 1 of a Class 6A Division I bi-district best-of-three series.
Royse City struck early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Wylie threatened in the bottom half with a runner reaching second base, but strong pitching from Royse City prevented the Pirates from capitalizing.
After a scoreless second inning, Royse City extended its lead in the third. The visitors plated two more runs to go ahead 4-0 before Wylie responded with its first spark of the night. The Pirates got on the board on a sacrifice fly, then cut the deficit to 4-2 when Amira Forbit launched a solo home run.
Royse City answered again in the fourth inning, adding another run after putting runners on the corners to push the lead to 5-2. Wylie had opportunities to respond but was unable to convert, as Royse City continued to control the pace.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the fifth inning, including one on a hit to left field, extending the lead to 7-2. Wylie answered with a run in the bottom half on a Forbit RBI ground-out to make it 7-3 and keep the game within reach.
The Pirates made their strongest push in the sixth inning. After holding Royse City scoreless, Wylie scored two runs to cut the deficit to 7-5 on an Ava Cook two-run single.
With the bases loaded and momentum building later in the inning, the Pirates had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Royse City escaped the inning without further damage.
“I’m really proud of our girls for showing up, not giving up, and competing until the end,” Wylie head coach Heather Damron said. “We’ve got another game tomorrow, and the message is simple — show up and play tough from the first inning to the last.”
In the seventh, Royse City added two insurance runs to extend its lead to 9-5. Wylie had one final opportunity in the bottom half but was unable to mount another rally, as Royse City secured the Game 1 victory.
The series will continue with Game 2 on Friday in Royse City, where Wylie will look to respond and force a deciding Game 3.
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