Kilgore, Sabine lose in tournaments
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL/ TOURNAMENT PLAY
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

HIT IT IF YOU CAN - Kilgore High School softball pitcher Meagan Youngblood (center) hurls a pitch to the plate against New Diana on Friday, a part of the Spring Hill/ White Oak tournament.

Both Kilgore High School and Sabine High School competed this weekend in softball tournaments, and for one of those programs, it's the final tune-up before district play starts.

Kilgore High School, coached by Cassie Newell and Rhonda Fletcher, competed over the weekend in the Spring Hill/White Oak Tournament, played almost entirely at Spring Hill. At press time Saturday afternoon, Kilgore (3-7 this season so far) was 1-2 in the tournament, and was to face Spring Hill Saturday afternoon, and was to play again late Saturday, although an opponent had not yet been determined.

Kilgore's varsity lost to New Diana, 6-1, on Friday. The lone run for the Lady Bulldogs was scored by Shae Morgan, who came in on an RBI single by pitcher Meagan Youngblood.

The Lady 'Dogs open District 12-4A play at Henderson on Monday afternoon, beginning with junior varsity at 4:30 p.m., and host Marshall on Friday, also beginning at 4:30 with the JV.

That JV team was also playing in the Spring Hill tournament this weekend against varsity teams, and managed a 13-12 win over Eustace on Friday. In that game, KHS got two home runs, one from Raven Williams (her second of the tournament), and another from Lillie Gipson.

• Sabine loses twice in Lear Park Tournament: Sabine High School's softball team was also playing in the Longview area this weekend, in a tournament at Lear Park. After winning twice on

Thursday, the Lady Cardinals' fortunes were reversed, as they lost twice on Friday, falling to Benton, La., 3-2, and then to Magnolia, 2-1, a pair of close games.

Coach Sarah Ricks-Creech's Lady Cards (5-6) will host Chapel Hill at 5 p.m. Tuesday, then participate in a tournament at Lindale High School this weekend. Sabine opens District 15-3A play at White Oak on March 14.

In the loss to Benton, Sabine had eight hits, but committed four errors. And actually, Benton had to overcome five errors of its own.

Sabine scored both of its runs in the fourth inning, leading 2-0 before Benton came back and tied it in the bottom of the inning. Benton scored the winning run in the eighth.

Sandy James pitched all eight innings for Sabine, striking out eight and walking one. Chelsea Headley, Janelle DeFreece, James and Lindsey Bryce each went 2-for-4 with two singles. Alex Easley went 1-for-4 with a single, and Hailey Hayes had a single, as well.

In the loss to Magnolia, Sabine led briefly, 1-0, after the fourth inning before Magnolia scored twice. Those were the game's only runs.

Chelsea Headley went 1-for-4 with a single. James went 2-for-3 with a double and a single. Cassie Headley went 1-for-2 with a single, and Hayes had a single. James took the loss, striking out six over seven innings.