Rangers cuff LHS in 25-4A opener
V. Ridge 11, LHS 1 (5)
By JEREMY HEATH Staff Writer

After a feast-or-famine showing in the Big Bell Classic Tournament last weekend, the Lampasas High School softball team opened District 25-4A play with famine on Monday night in blustery conditions at Lady Badger Field.

The Lady Badgers (9-9-1 overall, 0-1 in district) lost to Cedar Park Vista Ridge, 11-1, in a game that was called after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

The Lady Badgers will travel to Dripping Springs for a 7 p.m. game today. Dripping Springs beat Burnet, 5-0, on Monday. Dripping Springs ace Paige Sandahl improved to 12-3 on the year, striking out 16 in the shutout.

"Against Dripping Springs, I want to see us have a better approach offensively and stop giving the opponent four or five outs to work with each inning," LHS head coach Chris Gaffney said.

LHS and Vista Ridge were tied at 1 after two innings, but the Lady Rangers took advantage of LHS errors and blew the game open with four runs in the third, four more in the fourth and two in the fifth. The Lady Rangers didn't need all that offense because starter Haley Parks was dominant after a rocky start. Parks scattered four hits in five innings and struck out 10.

Three of those LHS hits were in the first inning, producing the Lady Badgers' run. Kallen Vann singled, Marisa Bogart walked, Vonzella Underwood singled, and Taylor Holloman singled, driving in Vann. Parks then produced two strikeouts to strand three runners.

The Lady Badgers committed five errors.

"It comes down to maturity and composure," Gaffney said. "We exhibited neither. We allowed outside factors to get to us. We became frustrated and lacked poise. That is something our young players have to work through."

Holloman, who relieved Kirby Crow in the second inning before giving way to Crow again, took the loss.

The Rangers produced 12 hits in the game.