KILLEEN – The Brownwood Lady Lions opened Killeen softball tournament action with a pair of victories Thursday – one in dominant fashion and one via comeback.

Brownwood began the day with an 8-0 triumph over Gatesville.

The Lady Lions grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Hanah Campos reached on a lead-off error, then scored on Adyn Lucas’ RBI single.

Brownwood boosted the advantage to 5-0 in the bottom of the third as Amarrea Thomas drew a lead-off walk, followed by a one-out, two-run home run to left field by Audrey Keas. Later in the frame, Lila Mares singled home Campos, who reached on a two-out single, while Brenda Allen’s RBI single to center field plated Lucas, who reached on her second hit of the contest.

The Lady Lions tacked on their final three runs in the bottom of the fourth as Lucas notched her third hit and Mares followed with her second to start the frame. Brenda Allen then recorded her second hit, an RBI single that plated Lucas, ahead of a two-run home run to left field by Kaydence Allen.

In the circle, Kaydence Allen worked all four innings and yielded two hits with five strikeouts in a shutout performance.

“The first game we came out hungry after losing to Gatesville last year,” said Lady Lions head coach Cherita Munguia. “The girls were energetic and Kaydence dominated in the circle and hit a home run, and we had some freshmen step up at the plate, including Audrey Keas who also hit a home run.”

Against Legacy Ranch, the new high school in Liberty Hill that will be classified as Class 5A next school year, the Lady Lions erased a four-run deficit for a 6-5 victory.

Trailing 5-1 heading to the bottom of the second inning, Brownwood was able to even the score with a four spot.

Maitlyn Esquivel led off with a single, Kaydence Allen walked with one out and Campos followed with a base hit to load the bases. An RBI single by Lucas brought home Esquivel to shave the deficit to 5-2. Mares then delivered a two-RBI single up the middle that plated Campos and Allen. Brenda Allen then reached on a two-out error that allowed Mares to come home and tie the game.

Brownwood scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the third as Thomas led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Esquivel, and Keas came through with an RBI sacrifice bunt that scored Esquivel.

The first run for Brownwood crossed the plate in the first inning as Campos led off with a single and came home on Brenda Allen’s RBI base hit.

The Lady Lions tallied nine hits – two each by Campos and Esquivel and one apiece by Lucas, Mares, Thomas, Brenda Allen and Kaydence Allen.

In the circle, Brenda Allen went the distance and allowed two earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and four walks, as the Brownwood defense committed four errors behind her.

“Brenda Allen took a little bit to knock off the nerves, and we had a little different defense today and had to overcome some bumps, but our bats did that and were hot,” Munguia said. “Even though we were down early, we never once gave up and found our groove and ended up coming out on top.”

The Lady Lions (2-1) begin bracket play at 9 a.m. Friday against Holland.