Lady Tigers begin playoff run with three game series

April 24, 2025

By Clay Whittington

The Lady Tigers begin their Class 5A, Division II playoff run Friday, when they open a best-of-three series against Crandall.

First pitch for Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. With Game 2 starting at noon Saturday. If necessary, a deciding Game 3 will take place approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of Game 2.

All three games will take place at Whitney High School.

While advancing will be difficult, Belton enters the postseason with momentum after winning each of its last four games.

The streak began with an 11-0 victory at Killeen Chaparral that ended in six innings.

Tara Stone earned the pitching victory, collecting eight strikeouts and allowing only three hits along the way.

Offensively, the Lady Tigers connected for 14 hits thanks in part to Andalyn Logan and Stone each going 3 for 4 at the plate, while teammate Reagan Stuart posted a team-high three RBIs.

Then, on Tuesday, Belton cruised into a three-way tie for second place in the district standings by traveling to Killeen Ellison and emerging with a one-sided 20-0 win.

In three innings of competition, Hailey Schutz, Presli Thompson, Jacklyn Munoz, Aubrey Lynch, Addison Reed, Stuart and Stone each recorded a perfect batting average.

Other highlights included Stone’s four RBIs, Munoz’s five stolen bases and pitcher Hanna Wheeler’s six strikeouts.

The outcome gave the Lady Tigers a final District 16 record of 6-4, placing them in a deadlock with the Lady Bobcats and Waco University, and set them up with a tiebreaker versus the Lady Trojans the following morning.

Playing at Lake Belton — home of the undefeated district champion Lady Broncos (10-0) — Belton defeated University 4-1 behind another strong showing from Stone, who had nine strikeouts in the seven-inning performance.

Iris Molina led the team offensively with a pair of RBIs.

In advance of the bi-district round, the Lady Tigers faced Liberty Hill in a warm-up game, earning a 6-4 win.

Lauren Vazquez and Stone led the way by each going 2 for 3, while Logan and Stone were each responsible for three-run home runs.

On the mound, Wheeler and Stuart combined to allow no earned runs.



With a series victory against Crandall, Belton would advance to face either Mesquite Poteet or Dallas Jefferson in the area round.