J'ville beats KHS in sloppy weather
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

Photos by Lester Murray SCOREFEST - A Jacksonville player attempts to make the tag on Kilgore freshman Skye Wyatt. There weren't a lot of tags going on for either side Tuesday in a game played in rainy, messy weather. Jacksonville won the District 12-4A contest, 18-10, called after five innings due to lightning. KHS plays at home again on Thursday night, hosting Pine Tree.

It's hard to imagine a softball game actually being played in worse weather than the one played here at Stream-Flo Field Tuesday night between Kilgore High School and Jacksonville.

The Lady Bulldogs finally dropped an 18-10 decision after the fifth inning was completed, with a storm moving closer and lightning doing the same. Until that point, right around 8:05 p.m. Tuesday, there was no danger for the players - there had been just a driving rain at times, and the field was in very good condition.

The field remained in good condition throughout, but the proximity of the lightning forced the game's conclusion. At first, the coaches had agreed to resume the game on Wednesday, but a check of UIL rules determined the game could indeed be called complete.

Kilgore gave up four first-inning runs, and then rallied, coming back to tie the game at 4, then actually going ahead for a short time, 6-4.

Jacksonville went back in front, 7-6, though, in the top of the third and never trailed again, in spite of a good rally from the Lady 'Dogs. In the fourth, shortstop Summer Williams singled, then went to third base on a two-base error, and that scored three runs.

"We didn't really have that many hits," KHS head coach Cassie Newell said. "They gave up a lot of walks."

Almost every single Kilgore batter drew a walk at some point of the game - third baseman Shae Morgan and catcher Alyssa McKinney walked three times each, and Whitney Brown and Jalissa Baggett each walked twice. Skye Wyatt was hit by a pitch, and also drew another walk.

The Lady Bulldogs fall to 4- 13 on the season with the loss, and 0-5 in District 12-4A. They won't get much of a chance to think about it, though: since it's spring break, the Lady 'Dogs are playing again on Thursday, instead of Friday. They'll host the Pine Tree Lady Pirates on Thursday, a 4:30 p.m. junior varsity start, with varsity to follow.