ROCKDALE – The Thrall Tigerettes varsity softball team secured a district championship in dominant fashion, defeating the Rockdale Lady Tigers 15-2 on Friday, April 17, at Rockdale High School.
The Tigerettes needed just six innings to clinch the run-rule victory. Rockdale struck first with a run in the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead, but Thrall quickly responded as Adeylnn Bishop delivered an RBI single to even the score at 1-1.
Thrall’s offense broke the game open in the third inning, erupting for 10 runs to take an 11-1 lead. Kenzie Engleke, Riley Luton, Ryleigh Jensen and Selena Quintanilla each contributed RBIs during the explosive inning, showcasing the depth of the Tigerettes’ lineup.
Rockdale added a run in the fifth inning, but Thrall put the game away in the sixth. AJ Masters delivered a basesclearing single — aided by multiple errors — to drive in four runs and seal the 15-2 victory.
Quintanilla and Engleke led the offensive effort with three RBIs apiece. In the circle, senior Miley Pokorny turned in a standout performance, pitching all six innings while allowing two runs and striking out 10 batters. With her effort, Pokorny reached the 800-career strikeout milestone. The Tigerettes now shift their focus to the postseason. Thrall picked up a 5-0 win over Troy on Monday, April 20, in a postseason tune-up game and will face Elkhart in a best-of-three bi-district series. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, at 4 p.m. in Navasota, followed by Game 2 on Friday at 6 p.m. A third game, if necessary, will be played Saturday.
Elkhart enters the series with a potent offense, led by Ella Lively, who carries a .481 batting average, and Maryiah Jogie, who has hit six home runs this season. The Elks feature four players batting above .400, presenting a strong challenge for Thrall’s pitching staff.
Rylee Lohmeyer anchors Elkhart in the circle as the team’s ace, setting up a key matchup as the Tigerettes look to carry their momentum into the playoffs.
