Tough loss

Photo by Kathy Bowden A LONG ONE - Kilgore shortstop Millicent Dickey (right) makes a throw to first base. The KHS Lady Bulldogs (176) lost Game 1 of their best-of-three-game Class 4A area playoff series against Little Cypress-Mauriceville, 1-0, in 13 innings on Friday night in Lufkin. The Lady 'Dogs had to win Game 2, to be played Saturday afternoon, to force a Game 3. Rainy weather, though, moved into the area Saturday morning, and put the remainder of the series in doubt. If the series can't continue, then LC-M would advance in the playoffs based on its Game 1 win. In last year's one-game area playoff against the Kilgore High School Lady Bulldogs, Little Cypress-Mauriceville pitcher Cody Trahan seemed to do little right in a double-digit run-rule loss.

In Friday night's playoff rematch between the two, she could do little wrong.

Although far from unbeatable, Trahan gave a good performance. She struck out 29 Kilgore batters and brought home the winning run in a 3 1/2-hour, 13-inning game at Lufkin Hudson High School on Friday night, a game LC-M won, 1-0.

The two teams were to complete the UIL Class 4A Region III area playoff, a best-of-three-game series, on Saturday at Hudson, beginning with Game 2 at 1 p.m. Kilgore (17-6) would have to win Game 2 to force a third and deciding game.

Inclement weather also was becoming a factor on Saturday. The rain moved in Saturday morning, and at press time, it was uncertain if the series could be played out. By UIL rules, if the series cannot continue, then LC-M would advance to the next round of the playoffs based on its Game 1 victory.

Friday night's game proved to be filled with drama - neither Mackenzie Sharp, the Kilgore pitcher that has been so dominant in her career at KHS, nor Trahan seemed willing to give an inch, and both teams played very good defensively.

Trahan didn't walk anyone but did allow six hits to the Lady Bulldogs, and three were by catcher Shelby Savony, who failed to reach base just once in the marathon game. Savony had a triple, a double and a single. First baseman Whitney Brown had a hit, and second baseman Katelyn Dick had two.

Kilgore had its opportunities, but just couldn't bring a run home. Senior pitcher Mackenzie Sharp, still stuck on 50 career wins at KHS, didn't have a bad game at all - Sharp allowed seven hits, walked just three LC-M batters and finished with 15 strikeouts.

The Lady Bulldogs couldn't get out of a tough situation in the bottom of the 13th, where LC-M put two runners on, then Trahan got a hit that was the game-winner.

This is the third straight season coach Kasey Polk has guided KHS to the playoffs. In the 2004 season, the Lady 'Dogs beat Henderson in the bi-district round, then lost to Ennis in Athens in the area round. Last season, KHS had a bi-district round bye (from winning the District 17-4A championship), beat LC-M 12-3 in the second round, and then lost to Klein Oak in the regional quarterfinals.

This season, Kilgore beat Montgomery 4-3 in eight innings in the bi-district round before getting LC-M, which had the bi-district bye after winning District 20-4A.