Mineral Wells Area News

By DAVID MAY

Special to Mineral Wells Area News

BROWNWOOD – Down four runs midway through, Mineral Wells rallied to tie Brownwood then took a two-run lead late. But the Lady Lions scratched out three runs in the bottom of the sixth to eke out a 9-8 district win.

The Lady Rams (7-8, 1-1) saw their four-game win streak end.

It was an error-filled game on the Brownwood diamond. The Lady Lions had as many hits and errors as they did runs scored (9). Mineral Wells had an equal number of hits and errors, 5, including a costly sixth-inning mistake that enabled the Lady Lions to overcome a two-run deficit to score the tying run before executing a double steal to back in front.

Mineral Wells loaded the bases on three two-out walks in the top of the seventh, but a third groundout ended the game and the Lady Rams’ rally hopes.

Mineral Wells took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning with the help of three Lady Lions errors. Cadence Colwell scored from third on a two-out ground ball by starting pitcher Savanna Silveus aided by an error committed by the Brownwood third baseman.

Brownwood responded with a big bottom of the second, plating four Lady Lions for a 4-1 advantage before adding another run in the third.

Mineral Wells fought back in their half of the fourth. Sadie Roach for a second time reached base safely on an error. Colwell made it two Lady Rams on the base paths after a pop up was misplayed by the catcher. Brownwood followed those two errors with a third mistake, allowing Mineral Wells to load the bases with no outs.

Silveus walked to bring Roach home. Karli Aaron struck a productive groundout that scored Colwell. Hailey McWhorter knocked in the third run with a sacrifice fly to score pinch-runner Angy Bista. An Aubrey Yowell single into left scored pinch-runner Scottie Denison. The inning ended with the teams tied at 5.

Brownwood struck for a run in the bottom of the fourth to retake the lead.

Down 6-5 to open the sixth, Mineral Wells scored three times. Tatum McMinn led off with a single to center, advancing to second on an outfield error. A line out by Ayana Harrison was followed by an Aaron double to right. Pinch-runner Bista held at third to give Mineral Wells two in scoring position with one out.

McWhorter bunted safely to load the bases. A fielder’s choice for the second out allowed Bista to score the tying run. Yowell swiped second then scored along with McWhorter on a two-RBI double off Colwell’s bat for an 8-6 lead.

But the Lady Rams were unable to close out the game with a win.

Colwell led Mineral Wells with two hits and two RBIs. Silveus started in the circle, tossing 3.2 innings. She allowed five hits and six runs (five earned) with two strikeouts and three walks before giving way to McWhorter, who went 2.1 innings, allowing four hits, three runs (two earned) with one strikeout while issuing no walks.

Mineral Wells will return to the friendly confines of Kessler Field for a Good Friday contest at noon against Burkburnett. The Lady Bulldogs opened their District 6-4A slate Friday, going on the road to thrash Gainesville, 15-0.