Varsity softball places third at Kissimmee Klassic 2019

BY HAILEY BROWN

The Lady Cowboys were set to leave on Thursday, April 4, at around 10 a.m. for their annual high school tournament in Kissimmee, but first, they had a regular season game to play.

On Tuesday, April 2, the Lady Cowboys faced off against the McArthur Mustangs at McArthur High School, where they were able to win 14-0. Pitcher Shelby Jones threw a shutout, keeping McArthur from scoring any runs. In the top of the third inning, junior Brenna Lokeinsky hit a three-run homer over the left field fence, scoring three runs. Then in the top of the fourth inning, freshman Kirsten Caravaca hit a solo home run, adding another run to the score. The game ended with the Cowboys in the lead 14-0.

“This was a good confidence-gaining game for our upcoming tournament in Kissimmee,” Lokeinsky said. “We know we will be facing some tough competition and are hoping to bring home the first place trophy.”

On Thursday, April 4, the Lady Cowboys headed to Kissimmee, Florida for the annual Kissimmee Klassic. Their first game was played at 7 p.m. against East Ridge High School. The game went back and forth with no one scoring, until the bottom of the third inning when Jasmine Herrera singled on a hard ground ball to the third basemen, bringing home Kylie Bright. With no hesitation, the Cowboys came in the next inning and scored five more runs, ending the game 6-0 and Herrera only allowing three hits.

“Tournaments like these are always fun and a good way to improve ourselves as a team.”

The Cowboys played their next game on Friday, April 5 at 7 p.m. against University High School. Cooper City was the first to score, taking the lead in the top of the fourth inning. The game began getting close after University High School scored two runs, taking the lead from Cooper City. With the Cowboys eager to continue the win streak, they came back scoring three runs in the top of the fifth inning and ended the inning 5-2.  

The Cowboys were able to hold the lead until the bottom of the sixth inning when University was able to score four runs, putting them ahead once again. Molly Canfield hit a double, bringing home Amanda Gettys and tying up the game. The game went into extra innings and the Cowboys were able to score two more runs in the top of the eighth and hold University at 6 to win it. The game ended with a score of 8-6.

“We worked hard for that win,” Gettys said. “We were able to keep pushing and do what we needed to do to come out with the win.”

The Cowboys played two more games on Saturday, April 6 against Oakleaf High School at 1 p.m. and West Nassau High School at 5 p.m. The Cowboys lost the first game 4-2 and won the second 3-2. The Cowboys finished the tournament placing third overall.

“We did good and had fun while doing it,” sophomore Mia Kotzen said. “Tournaments like these are always fun and a good way to improve ourselves as a team.”

Photo by The Lariat Photography