FLORENCE — The Thrall Tigerettes ran their season record to 8-1 after sweeping through the Florence tournament last weekend. The Tigerettes relied on solid pitching and timely hitting to outscore their three opponents 15-1, running their win streak to eight games.
“We had another successful tournament,” said Thrall Coach Matt Pokorny. “We played everyone, and we experimented with several players in different positions.”
In their opening round game, the Tigerettes scored four runs in the bottom of the first and topped Cedar Creek 5-1. Mikayla Velasquez, Kenzie Engelke and Dezi Lopez each hit doubles in the first for the Tigerettes.
Thrall pushed the score to 5-0 in the third inning on a pair of singles by Melaina Grissom and Stephanie Widner. Cedar Creek finally got on the board in the fifth after knocking out three consecutive singles to start the inning. A hit batter forced in their only run of the game.
Adelynn Bishop picked up the win for the Tigerettes, going four and a third innings, and allowing one run on five hits. Velazquez led Thrall at the plate with a pair of hits.
“Freshmen Adelynn Bishop and Kenzie Engelke chipped in both offensively and defensively,” Coach Pokorny said. “Kenzie is doing a great job behind the plate and led the team.”
Against Lago Vista, Miley Pokorny pitched a one-hit shutout and struck out 12 Lady Vikings, to help the Tigerettes to a 5-0 win. Lopez hit her first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth, and finished the game with a pair of hits to pace the Tigerettes at the plate.
Lopez added another two-run home run in the first inning of the Tigerettes’ final game of the tournament. The Tigerettes blanked the host Lady Buffaloes 5-0. Miley Pokorny went three innings of one-hit ball, striking out six to get the win.
“Everyone is improving, and playing well,” Coach Pokorny said. “We did a fantastic job jumping on these teams early and coasting to the finish line. We need to continue to stay aggressive at the plate, and continue to take the next base while running the bases.”
Coach Pokorny added that he did feel the team still needed to work on situational offense. “The biggest thing is, we need to work on hitting the pitch that is given and hitting to the area it’s pitched,” he said. “If we can improve on that, we will be hard to beat, offensively.”
The Tigerettes will be in Taylor beginning Thursday for their final tournament of the season. They will begin district play on March 5 against the Milano Lady Eagles.
