Friday, April 19, 2024
The Gatesville Lady Hornets capped off the regular season with an inspired effort in an 11-1 rocking of the Glen Rose Lady Tigers on April 22 to close out district play.
It was a fitting way to honor the team’s eight seniors — including seven players and the team manager — on a windy Senior Night celebration. The team’s seniors are: left fielder Kinsey Gardner; first basemen Bella Perry and Cera Touchet; second baseman Rihanna Tippit; center fielder Kelli Robinette; third baseman McKenzie Feldman; outfielder Kalyan Vega; and manager Avery Mullins.
The Lady Hornets overcame a slow start. Glen Rose took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning and erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and six runs in the fifth. The team scored another run in the sixth to secure an 11-1 win, ending the contest early on the mercy rule, thanks to their 10-run lead.
“I’m very proud of the girls,” GHS head coach Andrea Holbrook said. “We started out slow but that’s kind of the way we are. It takes a little bit to get things running but once we do it’s contagious — the energy is contagious.”
Kallie Featherston went the distance pitching for Gatesville, working her way out of a couple tight spots and earning the win.
“I want to give kudos to our freshman pitcher,” Holbrook said. “She didn’t pitch like a freshman tonight. The first time we played Glen Rose they were hitting her pitches pretty hard. She came back tonight and pitched a great game like an upperclassman.
“Our seniors up and down the lineup smashed the ball. Overall, it was a great night for the team.”
After a warm-up game against Connally on Monday, the Lady Hornets are scheduled to face Burkburnett in the bi-district round of the playoffs at 5 p.m. Friday, April 29 at Mineral Wells High School’s field. If a district tiebreaker game is needed, GHS will play Burkburnett on Saturday, April 30 at Mineral Wells.
