Victoria Alcozer gets ready to lay down a bunt during the Lady Tigers’ 2-0 loss to district-leading Bryan at home last Friday. Alcozer and the Lady Tigers face Mesquite in the Class 5A bi-district playoffs, beginning on Friday. Photo by Mark MagnanThe Lady Tigers softball team wrapped up their District 12-5A schedule last Friday evening at home against the league-leading Bryan Lady Vikings --- when the smoke had cleared, the Lady Vikes (25-8, 13-1) remained at the top with a close 2-0 victory over Belton's ladies (15-16, 10-4). The third-place Lady Tigers begin preparation for their playoff run, starting at Mesquite.

Friday's showdown had the classic pitching duel --- Junior ace Allison Boston allowed five hits, struck out four and issued no walks. Bryan's Jennifer Kasper gave up only four hits, struck out seven and walked one.

"We just didn't hit the ball," explained coach Matt Blackburn. "Boston pitched another gem. We had a chance, but we took ourselves out of it."

Belton continues to get great pitching from Boston and senior Jenna Roach and steady defense but the team's batting has been falling off recently.

The game was scoreless until the top of the sixth. Bryan punched a double to right-center and the runner slid under the throw to second. A bunt and a stolen base left runners in scoring position with one out. A sacrifice fly scored one run and an RBI triple to the corner of right field added the game's final score.

Belton continues to get great pitching from the tandem of senior Jenna Roach (2.95 ERA) and junior Allison Boston (1.04 ERA), but the team's batting has been falling off recently.

The Lady Tiger "sluggers" will be needed if the playoff run is to progress.

Some of the "big bats" include Junior Annie Bridgers, who leads the time with a .448 batting average and an on-base percentage of .529; sophomore Lauren Ramsey is batting .421 with an on-base percentage of .483; Roach is hitting .302, .375 on-base; sophomore Kassidy Vaughan is batting .350; senior Madi Moore, .324; and veteran leadoff slugger Victoria Alcozer holds a .272 average but usually manages to get on base, either by hit or walk and her on-base percentage is .370.

Coach Blackburn will "ride" his strong pitching duo but has really been working to correct any problems at the plate and will definitely need those bats to "come alive" and return to dominating opposing pitchers again.

It's a young Lady Tigers team with only four seniors but the youth this year is very talented.

Now, it's time to buckle your helmet's chin strap and hitch up your pants --- the playoffs!

Tomorrow (Friday) evening, Belton hits the road to Mesquite for a Class 5A doubleheader against the District 11-5A runner-up. The opening game of the best-of-three series is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with the second game starting 30 minutes after the first. Should a third game be necessary, the teams return to Belton Monday, May 3, for a 7 p.m. winner-take-all at Lady Tiger field.