Softball secures spot in playoffs

After a tough loss against Fredricksburg on Tuesday, the Wimberley softball team needed a boost. They found it in ace pitcher Caroline Cagel, who returned to action for the first time in three weeks.

“The game versus Bandera (on Friday) was big for the playoffs,” Head Coach Robert Klick said. “We needed to have it.”

Bandera was the third seed in the district, and they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning.

“We found ourselves and played solid after that,” Klick said. “We had 12 hits and Caroline pitched great.”

To start off the second inning, Jenna Ford and Rhyan Masur walked with Avery Blanch hitting a bloop single to load the bases. Marika Spector was hit by a pitch to score a run and ReAnn Maino hit an RBI single to bring the score to 3-2.

Cagel, on the way to a 16-strikeout performance, held Bandera scoreless the rest of the way. In the fifth inning, the Texans took advantage of another walk to start the inning. Back to back doubles by Ashlyn Castro and Ford took the lead back for Wimberley. They would not relinquish it again for the rest of the game on the way to a 6-3 victory.

Four players, Sydnie Cranford, Cagel, Castro and Ford, had two hits in the ball game. The win improved the Texans record to 14-12-2 and 4-5 in district play. The last game of the year was played in Boerne on Tuesday night after the Wimberley View’s time of press.

Wimberley is tied for third place with Bandera. If that remains the case, Klick expects the tie-breaker game to be held on Thursday, possibly in Fredericksburg.

The fourth place team in district will likely face Liberty Hill while the third place team will likely face Taylor. The playoffs would start next Thursday.