The Hutto Lady Hippos’ varsity softball season came to an end on Saturday, May 3, with a 4-0 loss to the Taft Raiders in the area round of the UIL playoffs. Originally scheduled as a best-ofthree series, inclement weather forced a single, winner-takes-all game.
Hutto struggled offensively, managing just two hits in 24 atbats and striking out eight times in its first nine plate appearances. Both teams were scoreless through the first three innings before Taft broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth with a four-run frame, highlighted by three consecutive singles.
The Lady Hippos had a scoring opportunity in the top of the fourth with runners on first and second and two outs, but a strikeout ended the inning. Hutto managed just two more baserunners the rest of the way — one on an error in the fifth and another on a single by Kenna Spence in the seventh. Three straight strikeouts in the final frame sealed the win for the Raiders.
Freshman Bailey Kelley started in the circle for Hutto, pitching six innings while allowing four runs and recording four strikeouts. Spence led the team at the plate with both of the Lady Hippos’ hits.
Despite the seasonending loss, Hutto put together a remarkable turnaround after beginning the year 0-8. The Lady Hippos closed the season on a 14-4 run, finishing third in their district and claiming a bi-district championship with a first-round win over Del Valle.
