GRAHAM – The Brownwood Lady Lions softball team inched closer toward the third round of the Class 4A Division I Region I playoffs with a 7-5 triumph over Decatur here Thursday in Game 1 of their best of three area playoff series.

Games 2 and 3, if needed, between the Lady Lions (18-11) and Decatur (13-8) will take place back in Graham at 3 p.m. Friday.

In Thursday’s victory, Brownwood grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, only for Decatur to seize a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the second. The Lady Lions then pieced together back-to-back three-run frames in the fourth and fifth to open a 7-2 cushion. Decatur crept within 7-5 in the bottom of the fifth inning, but got no closer.

The Lady Lions finished with 14 hits to just two for Decatur. Hanah Campos led the way with three hits, including a pair of triples, with two RBIs for Brownwood. Peyton Pena chipped in a pair of hits and tallied two RBIs, while Jeniffer Romero, Lila Mares and Tynlea Wilson also recorded two hits. Carlee Burks singled and drove in one and Chloe Walls chipped in an RBI as well.

In the circle, Kaydence Allen picked up the win as she overcame 10 walks by striking out 10 batters and again surrendered just a couple of hits. The Brownwood defense committed two errors behind her.

The winner of the Brownwood-Decatur series will face either Dumas or El Paso Ysleta in the regional semifinals next weekend.