Hit parade

GRAFORD _ Once Jacksboro and Comanche found a place to play, game two of the best-of-three series was a stark departure from the 12-2 Jacksboro win the night before.

The girls were scheduled to first play in Eastland but had to move to Brock because of field conditions. Roughly three hours before game time, Brock officials said their field would not be available, forcing another move. Lady Rabbit Field here, which does have turf, was agreed to.

While the Tigerettes didn't have their trademark big inning which broke game one open, the squad slapped out 15 hits and made plays defensively to slip past Comanche, 5-3 and move on to the area round of the Class 3A Region I playoffs.

Jacksboro (27-6) looked to draw first blood with a two-out Alex Holman double but a popout ended the threat. Comanche (18-10), like it did in game one got on the board in the first inning. Singles by Madelin Martin and Reagan Harms were sandwiched around a Lynzie Day walk to load the bases.

A third baseman’s error brought the run home and was enough for Avery Bennett to be replaced by Alex Holman in the circle.A strikeout and two groundouts later the inning was over.

Holman, who pitched a complete game in the opener, would scatter another four hits while striking out six and walking one.

The score remained 1-0 into the fourth when Jacksboro took the lead for good. Rylee Mathis reached on an error with Teagan Reynolds moving her to third with a double. Both came home on a Destany Valles single for a 2-1 lead.

An infield single and error allowed Jaci Gann to reach second. A left fielder’s error allowed Avery Bennett aboard to load the sacks. Hadlee Richardson’s double brought home Valles and Gann to put the lead at 4-1.

Bennett was forced out at home in place of Tullous and a flyout to right ended the inning.

The Tigerettes added a single run in the fifth. Consecutive one-out singles by Reynolds, Valles and Gann extending the lead to 5-1. A double play groundout ended the threat.

Comanche added single runs in its fifth and sixth but it wasn’t enough.

Jacksboro faces Merkel in the area round. Games are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m. (if needed). All games will be played at Graham.