The Elkins and Clements softball teams played another tight game for the third time this season, but that’s become expected in this big rivalry.

“It’s always a battle. The kids are talking to each other because they know each other so well,” Elkins coach James McClanahan said.

Amber Garza hit a game-winning two-run home run in the eighth inning Saturday afternoon to give the host Knights a 4-2 win and another District 23-5A championship. Her blast to center field was one of the few mistakes Clements pitcher Liz Paul made all game against Elkins, and Garza finally got a big hit off her.

“(Amber has) really struggled against Liz Paul; Liz has really owned her,” McClanahan said. “She was battling and figuring things out, but maybe (Liz) put one where she didn’t want to, and the result was good for us.”

The game was mostly a pitching duel between two of the area’s best sophomore pitchers. Paul and Elkins pitcher Nicole Gremillion held both teams in check for most of the game, not allowing many baserunners throughout the game.

“Liz did her job and gave us a chance to win and we just couldn’t come up with the W,” Clements coach David McCorkle said.

Clements (26-8) got both its runs in the fourth inning, when sophomore infielder Nicole Defee hit a two-out, two-run homer down the left field line to score junior Ally Ensor adn put the Rangers up 2-0. But Elkins (30-3) came back to tie the game in the bottom of the inning when freshman Donielle Breaux reached on a throwing error by Paul,. Two batters later, sophomore Chelsea Kovich hit a line shot past third into  the corner and sped around the bases for a two-run inside-the-park home run to tie the game at two.

Although Elkins won another district title, the Knights will have a tough first-round opponent in Alvin starting on Thursday. But the same can be said for Clements, which will meet Pearland in bi-district play.

“We have our hands full, that’s for sure,” McClanahan said. “I’m more worried about how we perform than the other team. That said, if we play well, we’re going to be competitive.”

Despite the loss, Clements is going to put the disappointing loss behind them and prepare for the postseason.

“We took this as a warmup game. Elkins is a big challenge and big game for us,” McCorkle said. “We feel good and it’s good to get a game like this out of the way and get in the playoff atmosphere.”

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