The Lady Panther’s softball team lost a non-district game to the Fredericksburg Billies, 4-8, on Tuesday, April 5, and then rallied for a win over the Junction Lady Eagles, 9-6, on Friday, April 8 to force a tie for the lead in District 8AA. The Panther’s record is now 15-12 overall and 4-1 in district.

Against the Billies, Meaghen Seales led the Panthers with three singles and one run. Callie Culton hit two singles and scored two runs. Alex Gustafson and Leslie McClinton each smashed a double, with Taylor Guinn adding one single. Leslie McClinton posted three RBI, while Taylor Guinn had one RBI. Chandler Ashley and Callie Culton pitched for the Panthers.

Blanco previously lost to Junction, 8-10, in their first meeting, but the win to tie the district lead at 4-1 belonged to Blanco on this night.

The Panthers took a first inning 2-0 lead, but by the end of the fourth, the game was tied 4-4. Each team scored two runs in the fifth to tie at 6-6.

Then, in the sixth, Blanco capitalized on singles and Junction fielding errors to pull ahead 9-6. With Junction up to bat in the seventh, the Blanco defense held tight.

Callie Culton fielded a grounder and threw it to first base for the first out. The next batter for Junction got on first with a single. The third batter for Junction hit a line drive at first base, which was caught by Kelsey Schwind for the out, who then tagged the Junction runner for the double play as she was off first base to take a lead for second.

Hillary Calzoncit led the Blanco batters with two singles, one RBI, and one run. Callie Culton hit a single and a sacrifice fly for one RBI, and Meaghen Seales and Leslie McClinton each hit a single and scored two runs. Alex Gustafson, Taylor Guinn, and Leslie McClinton each had one RBI, and Kelsey Schwind scored three runs. Callie Culton and Chandler Ashley pitched for Blanco.

The ladies will wrap up their district schedule at Harper on Friday, April 15, and at home against Comfort on Monday, April 18, in a game originally scheduled for Tuesday.