Sanger High School Softball punches ticket to State Tournament

Thursday

No. 4 Sanger 4, No. 6 Pampa 3 (8 innings)

The Lady Indians (37-7) trailed 2-0 early in the game at Midwestern State University Softball Field in Wichita Falls, before tying it up in the bottom of the third on a two-run home run by Abby Chapmond that also scored Sophia Troegle. They fell behind again, but tied it back up at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth when Leala Kloewer laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt that was mishandled and allowed Lily Wilson to score from third.

Sanger had a chance to win it in the bottom the seventh with the bases loaded and two outs, when the inning ended on a foul pop up near first base.

Then came extra innings with the teams tied at 3-3.

Kloewer got through the top of the eighth with no damage and led off the bottom half with a single. Harley Miller, who ran for Kloewer, reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Dalilah Millan and got to third when Piper Lindlau doubled to left-center field.

Troegle then laid a soft squeeze bunt down the third base line and Miller beat the relay throw home to score the winning run, giving Sanger a 4-3, walk-off win.

Having won Game 1 as well in a 2-0 affair on Wednesday, the second victory also meant the Lady Indians punched their ticket to the 4A state tournament with a series sweep of Pampa.

It will be their second state tournament appearance in program history after winning the 3A state title in 2001.

Bullard and Liberty open their best-of-three series for the Region III-4A championship Thursday night at Huntsville High School. Game 2 is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Lufkin Hudson High with Game 3 at 7 p.m. the same day, if needed.

Sanger will face the winner of Bullard and Liberty on Thursday, May 30 at the University of Texas Red & Charline McCombs Field, at 4:00 or 7:30 p.m.

No. 4 Sanger 2, No. 6 Pampa 0

The Lady Indians began their Region I-4A championship series strong with a low-scoring victory over Pampa on Wednesday evening at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls.

Sanger (36-7) scored one run in the top of the first as Kyley Cochran drew a leadoff walk, stole second, reached third on one sacrifice fly by Lily Wilson and scored on another SAC fly from MaKynna Meeks. Sanger added one more in the top of the seventh when Piper Lindlau doubled to left-center field, allowing Emily Wells to score from first.

That was all the offense needed on the day as Leala Kloewer spun a complete game shutout, striking out 12 while allowing two hits and no walks along with hitting a pair of batters.

Sanger made the most of its one hit and four walks on a day where offense was hard to come for both teams.

SEE GAME 2 PHOTOS (by Blake Lemons) BELOW: