Needing to win their final two games of the season, and still receive help, to keep their postseason hopes alive, the Brownwood Lady Lions instead suffered a fifth straight defeat, 5-2 to the District 6-4A rival Graham Lady Blues, in the softball home finale Monday night.
The Lady Lions (14-15, 2-7) will wrap up their first season to miss the playoffs since 2022 at 1:30 p.m. Saturday when they visit district leader Brock (19-9, 8-0).
Graham (10-17, 2-7) grabbed a 3-0 advantage in the top of the third as Gabriella Hernandez, Sophia Shaffer and Ruby Shaffer walked in succession to start the frame. With one out, an RBI bases-loaded walk by Hudson Wright put the Lady Blues on the board, Larissa Warren followed with an RBI single, and Hadleigh Allen chipped in an RBI ground out.
The Lady Blues extended the lead to 4-0 in the top of the fourth as Kerstin Schupbach walked and Hernandez singled, then an RBI fielder’s choice by Ruby Shaffer plated a run.
Brownwood scored all its runs in the bottom of the fourth as Adyn Lucas and Brenda Allen walked back-to-back to begin the inning. Lucas then stole third base ahead of an RBI ground out by Maitlyn Esquivel. Lila Mares followed with an RBI single to drive in Eboni Baker, running for Brenda Allen.
Down two in the bottom of the fifth inning, Hanah Campos and Carlee Burks both singled to start a potential rally, but the next three Lady Lions were retired in order.
Graham added an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Tiffany Cotter, who reached on one of two Brownwood errors in the contest, scored on an RBI ground out from Hadleigh Allen.
The Lady Lions finished with six hits – three by Burks and one apiece from Campos, Esquivel and Mares – but struck out 10 times against Cotter.
In the circle, Kaydence Allen and Brenda Allen surrendered just three hits, but walked six batters.
