MANOR – The Taylor Lady Ducks varsity softball team opened the 2026 season with a 14-8 loss to the Manor New Tech Titans on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Junior pitcher Anaih Arroyo ran into trouble in the sixth inning, surrendering seven runs that ultimately put the game out of reach. Arroyo pitched 3.1 innings, allowing eight runs on 11 hits while striking out three.
Sophomore Payton Burrow got the start in the circle, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up six runs on six hits with two strikeouts. She also recorded one strikeout in the first two scoreless innings as both teams settled in during what began as a pitchers’ duel.
Taylor struck first in the top of the third inning, plating three runs on back-to-back RBI doubles from sophomore Mia Bendure and Arroyo to take a 3-0 lead.
Manor New Tech answered in the bottom half of the inning. After Burrow walked two of the first three batters, the Titans connected on a home run to tie the game at 3-3. A fielder’s choice and a two-RBI single pushed Manor New Tech ahead 6-3.
The Titans added another run in the fourth to extend the lead to 7-3, but the Lady Ducks chipped away in the fifth. Burrow delivered an RBI double, and Arroyo followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-5.
Taylor completed the comeback attempt in the top of the sixth. Burrow drove in a run with an RBI triple, and Arroyo added an RBI double to tie the game at 7-7.
However, Manor New Tech broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth with a seven-run inning to seal the 14-8 victory.
The Lady Ducks will compete in the Killeen ISD tournament this weekend before returning to action Tuesday, Feb. 14, on the road against Elgin at 7 p.m.
