The Richland Royals pushed across three runs in the top of the first inning with only one ball hit out of the infield then made the lead stand up for a 3-1 victory over the Aledo Ladycats in game one of the 5A area playoff series Thursday at Aledo.
The Ladycats ended the game with more hits than Richland, but could only score once. Aledo put runners on second and third in the bottom of the seventh inning but Richland pitcher Jacey Lees got forced a couple of infield pop outs to end the game.
Aledo had five hits in the game, including double by Texas Ray and Brenlee Gonzales, but Lees did not walk a batter.
Nathalie Touchet took the loss for Aledo, although she pitched a complete game three-hitter with five strikeouts. However, it was a costly walk to start the game that started the Richland rally.
The runner advanced to second on a ground out to third, then went to third on a passed ball. Rachet Houston then laid down a bunt that Touchet quickly fielded and checked the runner back to third rather than trying to get an out at first.
Reese Davis then hit a fly to right that got rolled to the wall. Both runners scored and Davis slide into third with a triple. However the umpire then send Davis home for the third run.
Aledo got one run back in the bottom of the second when Texas Ray doubled, moved to third on a passed ball then scored on an RBI ground out by Delaney Rosser.
The Ladycats got runners in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings, but pitched out of the innings without giving up another run.
The next two games in the playoff series are schedule for Richland’s softball field on Friday, with the first game starting at 5 p.m.
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