Mineral Wells Area News

Mineral Wells battling for playoff spot

By DAVID MAY | Special to Mineral Wells Area News

BROWNWOOD – In a tight race for three District 6-4A playoff spots, the Mineral Wells Lady Rams on Tuesday defeated the Brownwood Lady Lions, 9-6.

Mineral Wells took advantage of their gracious hosts’ eight errors. Just two of the Lady Rams’ runs were earned.

While undefeated and Class 4A’s top-ranked Brock Lady Eagles have all but locked up the district title with a current 7-0 mark, Mineral Wells (3-4) with Brownwood (3-4), Stephenville (3-4) and Graham (4-3) are in the thick of trying to secure one of three remaining playoff spots in the six-team league. 

Three games remain in the regular season for Mineral Wells, including contests against Stephenville and Graham that could decide who is in – and who is out. Last place Glen Rose (1-6) could make a late run but at this point they have a big hill to climb and would need a lot of help to crawl into the post-season picture.

Trailing 1-0 in the third, the Lady Rams turned it around with five runs, keyed by a Kynlee Harkins hit that scored Carsyn Presley and Aubree Yowell, helped by the error-prone Lady Lions. A Tatum McMinn hit put two Lady Rams on ahead of a Scottie Denison hit that brought Harkins home. An error on an Emery Boswell fly scored Denison. Boswell reached third on the play and scored on a passed ball.

Mineral Wells broke the game open in the top of the fifth with four more runs to take a 9-1 lead. An error put Hailey McWhorter on second base. She stole third and scored on another Lady Lions error off the bat of McMinn. An error on a Denison bunt attempt put Lady Rams on the corners. Boswell’s sacrifice fly scored pinch runner Brogsia Burks. Yet another Brownwood miscue brought courtesy runner Angy Bista home. Mineral Wells capped the inning on a Presley single that plated runner Addy Moore.

The Lady Lions scored five runs in their final three at bats, but it would not overcome Mineral Wells’ large lead.

McWhorter pitched all seven innings for Mineral Wells, giving up six hits and six runs (four earned), striking out one and walking three. 

The Lady Rams (16-8) have a chance to solidify their post-season hopes on Friday when Glen Rose visits Kessler Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.