HS Softball Playoffs: Conroe Dominates Single-Game Bi-District Round In 19-Run Victory

SPRING, TX -- Complete and utter domination in the first inning secured a 19-0 shutout win for the Conroe Tigers over the Nimitz Cougars in a single-game showdown in the Bi-District round.

A near-perfect run through 13-6A sharpened the Tigers for a powerful run through the playoffs, but the sheer strength on display will frighten any teams that have the misfortune of facing Conroe in the next rounds.

Conroe’s defense and Eva Lantagne’s pitching at the top of the first were as strong as in previous games. Even with Nimitz getting two runners on base, the Tigers rode Lantagne’s pitching to safety and a scoreless top of the first.

Then the Conroe batters entered the game and proceeded to utterly dismantle the Nimitz defense on the way to posting a game-sealing amount of runs on the scoreboard.

Nearly three full run-throughs of the batting rotation saw Conroe feast on the Nimitz pitching and lackluster fielding in an environment that simulated batting practice more than a game.

Four home runs, up to three at-bats for the top of the lineup, and a total of 18 runs were posted by the Tigers in an onslaught of hitting. Fast legs and a handful of wild pitches aided the Tigers in securing extra bases that were cashed in through homers or standing base-hits.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Conroe Head Coach Rachelle Harris discussed the team’s desire to win early against an opponent that was easily taken advantage of.

“The girls came out wanting this. They were excited for this one. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is; they just want to be in this spot,” said Harris. “It showed me that the girls were confident in what they do. Sometimes it takes time to get where we want to be, but they got out there and executed.”

Headlining Conroe’s offensive surge in the bottom of the first was Addison Mason, who finished the half-inning with two home runs for a combined six runs brought in.

“I’m just really glad that I could help produce runs for my team in such a short amount of time,” said Mason. “Especially in this important game.”

Conroe was so confident in their swinging and damage on the scoreboard that standout players like Alissa Sneed switched hands when batting to her off-hand, just to get some reps before joining the collegiate ranks.

An eventual fly-out ended the Tiger barrage at 18 runs scored, but the game was more than over by the start of the second.

With the Conroe lead already in run-rule territory, Lantage was no longer needed on the mound for the Tigers. In her place stepped Makalynn McWashington to keep up the pace on the mound, doing so without skipping a beat.

Three batters faced in the second inning and four in the third demonstrated the depth and talent Conroe possessed to play out the stretch.

“It’s crucial because we need everybody,” explained Harris on the use of depth. “There is not one person that I can go without. I need my entire roster to be ready for when their number is called up.”

Nimitz’s limited production at the plate meant the Tigers were free to play out the remainder of their at-bats without the threat of a comeback.

An insurance run scored via a solo home run from Mason, her third of the game, stretched the lead to 19-0, with the run rule ending the game before Conroe’s appearance in the third inning.

With the win in hand, and the single-game handing the Bi-District Championship to Conroe, the Tigers set their sights on the next round of play and what the postseason may hold for the squad.

“We can always improve,” said Harris after the win. “We just have to play our game the best way we know how while adjusting to our opponent.”

Conroe now awaits the winner of the matchup between Klein Oak and Bridgeland in the upcoming Area Round.

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