DRIPPING SPRINGS – A sensational 2023 season for Granger High School varsity softball came to an end Thursday night as the Lady Lions came up short against the Shiner High School Lady Comanches team in the 2A regional semifinals.
“Going into our game this week, we’ve been refining the little things and enjoying the opportunity to still be playing this late in the season. These young ladies have grown into a family and that’s how we play for each other,” head coach Jennifer Fudge said prior to the game.
The Lady Lions got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when senior Mattie Wilkie hit a double with two outs, and eventually came around to score on an error by Shiner to give Granger an early 1-0 advantage.
However, Shiner’s potent offense had a swift answer as the Lady Comanches scored two runs in each of the subsequent two frames to take a 4-1 lead.
Later, with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lady Lions mounted a rally as senior Alex Harwell doubled and junior Montana Moore drew a walk. On the very first pitch of her at bat, junior Payton Filla came up clutch as she smacked a double that scored both runners to cut the deficit to just 4-3.
Unfortunately for Granger, the Shiner offense was able to catch fire and run away with the game late as the Lady Comanches erupted for four runs in the top of the sixth and one more insurance run in the seventh to finish off the Lady Lions 9-3.
Filla, who pitched a crucial game in the circle last week in the regional quarterfinal with a 1-0 complete game shutout win over district rival Bremond High School, kept Shiner’s explosive offense in check for most of the game Thursday until the later stage of the contest.
“Our district is one of the most competitive in the region. At this point in the season, how you finished in district doesn’t matter. Everyone left can play ball. We are playing our best ball right now. Our offense is clicking and we are playing great defense. I think this team has something special going. The win against Bremond was exciting,” Fudge said ahead of the showdown with Shiner.
This was a season to remember for the Lady Lions, who finished with a 22-10 overall record and made a deep run in the playoffs after finishing fourth in District 27.
