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ABI LENE — The Lady Wildcats varsity softball team battled through a taxing series over the weekend to go 1-2 at the Abilene Independent School District Icebreaker tournament.
Due to cold weather, all three matchups took place Saturday, Feb. 22.
Vs. Big Spring
Elgin opened the tournament in dominant fashion, cruising to a 14-0 victory over Big Spring.
Sophomore Jaelyn Barker sparked the offense by going 2-for-4 with four RBIs, helping the girls jump ahead early. The Lady Wildcats scored two runs in each of the first two innings for a 4-0 lead.
A seven-run thi rd made it 11-0 and effectively broke the game open.
Senior pitcher Gabriella Sandoval earned the win in the circle, striking out 11 over four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.
Elgin ended the contest via run rule with three more tours of the bases in the fourth.
Vs. Comanche
The Lady Wildcats’ bats cooled off in the second game, resulting in a 4-0 loss to Comanche.
Despite outhit t ing the Maidens 6-5, Elgin struggled to drive in runners at key moments.
All four of Comanche’s runs came in the second inning and proved to be enough.
Sophomore pitcher K ate ly n Ande r son turned in a solid effort, tossing four innings and recording a strikeout, but lack of timely hitting kept the girls off of the scoreboard.
Vs. Abilene Cooper
Elgin nearly pulled off a win in the day’s finale before comeback efforts fell short and Abilene Cooper rallied late for a 7-6 walk-off triumph.
The Lady Wildcats struck first with two runs in the top of the opening inning, but Cooper grabbed a 3-2 edge with three runs in the second.
Elgin tied it in the third, only for Cooper to answer with two more in the bottom half.
Elgin briefly took back a 6-5 lead after a scoreless fourth inning, but Cooper’s two-run response sealed the dramatic victory.
Barker and juniors Bianco Galinda and Trinity Martinez stood out with strong performances throughout the day.
Elgin is now 1-7 overall this season. The Lady Wildcats aim to rebound Tuesday, Feb. 25, against Navarro before traveling to the Taylor tournament from Feb. 27 to March 1.
