Softball Roundup: Lake Creek Marches To Regional Final

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX — For the second straight week, Lake Creek found itself facing a win-or-go-home situation because of a coin flip. For the second straight week, the Lions were up to the task.

Junior Ava Brown was stellar in the circle for six innings, and senior Emiley Kennedy slammed the door on a late rally to power third-ranked Lake Creek to a 2-1 victory over No. 10 Crosby in a one-game Class 5A Region III semifinal Thursday at Grand Oaks.

Lake Creek will play No. 2 Barbers Hill in its first regional final appearance with matchup details to be determined later. Barbers Hill swept Waller in its regional semifinal series.

Brown allowed just one hit through six innings as the Lions led 2-0 entering the final frame. An error allowed a runner to reach second, and Jordee Wilkins followed with an RBI double to trim the lead to 2-1 with no outs. Kennedy came in for Brown and took all of 12 pitches to strike out the side and earn the save, securing a berth in the 5A Region III final.

Brown allowed just two hits and an unearned run while striking out 10 to earn the win.

Crosby starting pitcher Grace Sparks was nearly as good as Brown, giving up just five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in six innings. The Lions got to Sparks in the fourth inning, though, and took a 2-0 lead that proved just enough to hold off Crosby.

Brown drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Kalee Rochinski singled on the ground to left field to grab a 1-0 lead. A Jenny Robison single and Shelby Winn walk loaded the bases, and Rochinski came home on a ground out from Payton Bauer to make it 2-0.

The Woodlands falls to Bryan to set up winner-take-all Game 3

Bryan's Jacque Adams blasted a two-run, walk-off home run, sending The Woodlands to a 9-8 loss in the second game of their best-of-3 6A regional semifinal series Thursday at Navasota High School, according to The Bryan Eagle.

The Highlanders were within one out of sweeping the series, but will have a chance to punch their ticket to the 6A Region II final on Friday. The teams will play the rubber match at 6 p.m. at Grand Oaks.

Kayla Fallerman led The Woodlands with three hits and three runs batted in. Alannah Leach and Gabby Leach each went 2 for 3.