The Thrall Tigerettes varsity softball team advanced to the regional finals after defeating Central Heights in a hard-fought three-game series last weekend at Montgomery High School.
Thrall opened the series with a 3-0 victory on Thursday, May 7, before Central Heights responded with a narrow 3-2 win in game two to force a decisive game three. The Tigerettes answered with a 3-2 victory in the winner-take-all matchup to clinch the series.
This marks the furthest playoff run in Tigerette softball history. Thrall (29-10) faces Kirbyville in a bestof- three region final series this weekend at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.
The series opener takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, while the second game starts at 2 p.m. Saturday. A third game will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the second game if necessary.
GAME ONE
Senior pitcher Miley Pokorny dominated in the circle as she tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit while striking out eight batters in the 3-0 victory.
The Tigerettes got on the board in the top of the second inning when senior Riley Luton delivered an RBI double to make it 1-0.
Thrall added two insurance runs in the seventh inning as freshman Ryleigh Jensen blasted a two-run home run to extend the lead to 3-0.
Pokorny closed out the game with two fly outs and a strikeout to secure the win and give Thrall a 1-0 series lead.
GAME TWO
Thrall looked to finish off the series on Saturday, but Central Heights forced a third game with a 3-2 extrainning victory.
Central Heights grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI triple and RBI single. The Tigerettes answered in the fourth after Selena Quintanilla drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Both teams remained locked in a pitcher’s duel until the seventh inning when freshman Reese Madsen tied the game with an RBI single to force extra innings.
Central Heights regained the lead in the eighth inning after a fielding error allowed the go-ahead run to score. Thrall put runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the inning, but a double play ended the game.
Despite the loss, Pokorny was strong once again, pitching all eight innings while allowing three runs and recording 12 strikeouts.
GAME THREE
The Tigerettes responded in game three by building an early lead and holding off Central Heights late to advance to the regional finals.
After two scoreless innings, Thrall broke through in the third inning. The Tigerettes scored on an error before Madsen added an RBI double and Kenzie Engelke followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Pokorny and the Thrall defense held Central Heights scoreless until the seventh inning when Central Heights scored twice to cut the lead to 3-2 with one out.
Thrall’s defense stepped up in the final moments as two straight fly outs ended the game and secured the series victory.
Photo courtesy of Thrall ISD
