**Due to UIL regulations, we are not permitted to sell game films or photos from this event.  We apologize for any inconvenience.** 

The Katy Tigers and the Garland Owls competed Saturday evening in hopes of
becoming the District 5A Softball State Champions.  Both teams advanced to
this state game after coming out victoriously on Friday in the
semi-finals.  Katy had a 3-0 victory against Lewisville Marcus while
Garland defeated Austin Bowie for advancement in the bracket.

Over an hour before the Katy-Garland game was to begin every entrance gate
at McCombs Field was flooded with red and white as the Katy fans waited
for the gates to open.  Soon, the fans from both teams were piling into
the stadium with enough team spirit to last the entire evening.

As the game began, both teams quickly showed skills that backed up how
they had made it all the way to this championship game. The first three
innings were a stalemate as each team had great batting, but displayed an
even greater defense which kept the score at 0-0. Despite the void in
scoring, the action on the field was leaving everyone in anticipation of
which team would be able to get the first run on the board.

The bottom of the fourth inning proved to be the opportunity for Garland
to get a run. Fra’Shekia Knight was up to bat and managed to hit a single
to left field.  Struggling to find the strike zone in the Garland batters,
Katy pitcher Denise Arnold took time to talk with Coach Haack as she tried
to regroup.

Next up, Kodie Garner hit a sacrifice bunt which led to her out at first
but allowed Knight to advance to second. Knight was then able to take
third base by storm as the Katy short stop made an error off a grounder
hit by Kandice Garner.

Katie Updyke’s pop fly to left field then allowed Knight to run home, earning the first and only run of the game.

With Garland up 1-0 Katy fought hard in the top of the sixth. The Tigers had the bases loaded twice throughout the inning, but Garland outfielder Rose Stubbs had the defense to come up with two of the three outs needed to keep the Tigers left on the bags.

In the bottom of the sixth Katy was able to hold the Owls to only one run
but was unsuccessful in their attempt to even out the score. Garland came
out with a State Championship and a final score of 1-0.  This state win
makes the Garland Owls the only 5A team to win consecutive titles, as they
took home the gold medal last year as well.

Making their first appearance at the state tournament, the Katy Tigers
left the field with silver medals and hope to make it back to the state
playoffs next year.

The Garland MVP was pitcher Tomi Garrison as she showed extraordinary
skill throughout the weekend.

Congratulations to both the Tigers and the Owls for their accomplishments
this season.

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