Saturday at Morton Ranch High School in Katy, the Cinco Ranch Cougars took on the Langham Creek Lobos in Game 2 of a best-of-three series to determine who would move on to the area round of the 5A softball playoffs.  The Cougars entered Game 2 with a 1-0 series lead after a 6-0 victory over the Lobos on Friday night.  Cinco Ranch reached the bi-district round after claiming the District 18-5A title with an overall record of 25-5, while Langham Creek punched their ticket with a fourth-place finish in District 17-5A and a record of 11-12 on the year.

The Cougars jumped out early in the top of the first, scoring four runs off hits from right-fielder Hollie Pinchback, third baseman Karen Tulig, catcher Meghan Brown, and second baseman Mary Beth Allcorn.  Langham Creek looked poised to answer quickly after a lead-off single and a stolen base from center-fielder Renae Bromely.  However, Cougar pitcher Kristie Chin held the next three Lobo batters to a strikeout and two fly-outs to end the inning with Cinco Ranch on top, 4-0.

The next two innings were relatively quiet.  Chin allowed only one Lobo base runner over the second and third frames, as third baseman Lauren Van Ness had a single to left field for Langham Creek but was left stranded.  Lobo pitcher Lauren Carley gave up a walk and a one-out single to Brown, before getting out of the third inning unscathed.

Carley seemed to be getting back on track for Langham Creek in the top of the fourth, with two quick fly-outs from Cougar first baseman Amanda Pennington and shortstop Alex Reynolds.  Cinco Ranch refused to go quietly, however, as Carley then loaded the bases before getting Tulig to strike out to end the side.  Lobo catcher Corky Lavender started the inning off with a bang for Langham Creek with a double to left field, but Chin retired the next three batters to deny the Lobos their first run of the game.

Heat and fatigue seemed to be setting in with the start of the fifth inning, as the teams took turns going three-up, three-down.  The sixth inning saw limited offensive production as well, as Cinco Ranch’s Jessica Stoelke and Langham Creek’s Bromely managed the only hits of the inning.

The Cougars picked up their second wind in the final frame, as Tulig doubled to left field to lead off.  She was followed two batters later by a single to left from Chin.  Pennington, Reynolds, and Stoelke all singled as well to drive in the final three runs for the Cougars.  A two-out single to left by Van Ness in the bottom of the seventh was the Lobos’ lone hit to end the game, which clinched a spot in the area playoffs for Cinco Ranch.

The 7-0 victory was the second shut-out in as many days for the Cougars.  Chin, who pitched the complete game, was the winning pitcher.  Carley took the loss for Langham Creek.

Cinco Ranch coach Judy Whillock was pleased with her team’s overall performance.  “Our pitching was great, and we also swung the bat well.  It’s always good to see a total effort in the playoffs,” she said. 

Looking forward to the area round, Whillock admitted she wasn’t well acquainted with her team’s next opponent, MacArthur.  That won’t change the Cougars’ approach, however.  “We have to play every game like it’s for the state championship,” Whillock stated.  “You have to bring your A game every time, or you go home.”

So far, the Cougars have done just that. 

The area round match-up between Cinco Ranch and MacArthur will take place on May 5.  Log on to The Athlete’s Connection for updates on other area pairings, including times and locations of the contests.

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