Lady Tigers Win Season Opener

The Lady Tigers manufactured two runs in the fourth inning of the season opener against the Van Lady Vandals, and that is the entire support senior pitcher Taylor Austin would need for the 2-0 shutout.

Austin gave up a single in the first and one in the second, but both Van runners were left on base due to errorless fielding on six ground ball outs. Austin then retired the side in order in the third and fourth including four strikeouts in the two innings.

Wills Point senior shortstop Jana Deen was left stranded twice in the first three innings, having walked twice.

Taylor Parker led off the fourth with a walk, and after a pair of errors, Shelby Perry found the empty spot behind first with a bloop single scoring Parker. Calli Zmolek also drew a walk, driving in Austin for the 2-0 lead.

The Lady Tigers had two more base runners in the game, including a leadoff double by Macy Unger in the seventh, but they left both of those runners on base.

Austin faced her biggest challenge in the fifth, giving up back-to-back one-out singles. With a runner on first, right fielder Brooke Jones’ diving attempt at a fly popped out of her glove as she hit the ground, but she recovered to hold the batter to a single, and the runner to second.

Austin responded by striking out the next two batters and got out of the jam. Austin finished by scattering five hits and striking out nine. The defense behind her recorded nine groundball outs without an error.

The Lady Tigers were in Lindale for tournament action on Thursday, and return on Saturday. They will host Sulphur Springs on Tuesday, with the JV starting at 4:30 p.m.