Four-run lead in seventh inning slips away from Lady Lions in 12-11 extra-inning loss to Stephenville

Brenda Allen recorded three hits and three RBIs for Brownwood (13-10, 1-2), which next travels to Graham (9-11, 1-2) at 6:30 p.m. Friday

A four-run lead slipped away from the Brownwood Lady Lions in the seventh inning, as the Stephenville Honeybees rallied for a 12-11 extra-inning victory Tuesday night in District 6-4A softball action.

The Lady Lions (13-10, 1-2) carried a 9-5 advantage to the top of the seventh inning, where Stephenville (13-10-1, 2-1) scored five times on a walk, hit by pitch, two singles, a triple, and an error.

Brownwood drew even at 10 in the bottom of the seventh as Amarrea Thomas’s bunt, coupled with a Stephenville error, allowed Maitlyn Esquivel, who led off with a single, to score the tying run and force extra innings. The potential game-winning run was retired at the plate later in the seventh for the Lady Lions.

In the eighth inning, Stephenville tallied two more runs on a hit batter and two singles.

Trying to rally again in the bottom of the eighth, Kaydence Allen led off with her second triple, then Adyn Lucas and Brenda Allen walked to load the bases with no outs. An RBI ground out by Esquivel scored Kiara Delce, running for Kaydence Allen, then Lila Mares walked to again fill the sacks with one out. The Lady Lions, however, left the bases loaded as Stephenville was able to secure the final two outs.

Brownwood took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI sacrifice fly by Kaydence Allen that plated Hanah Campos, who reached on an error.

Down 3-1 in the bottom of the third, the Lady Lions reclaimed a 4-3 advantage. Kaydence Allen tripled and Lucas walked ahead of an RBI single by Brenda Allen that scored Delce, again running for Kaydence Allen. With two outs, Lucas stole home and Mares reached on a two-out error that scored Brenda Allen.

Tied at 4 going to the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Lions opened an 8-4 edge as Audrey Keas singled, Carlee Burks walked with one out, and Kaydence Allen delivered a two-RBI single. Lucas then tripled home Delce, running for Kaydence Allen, and Brenda Allen singled home Lucas.

Both teams finished with 11 hits and five errors.

For Brownwood, Kaydence Allen and Brenda Allen each recorded three hits and three RBIs, while Lucas and Esquivel tallied one hit with one RBI. Mares, Thomas and Keas also collected hits.

In the circle, Kaydence Allen worked all eight innings and yielded seven earned runs on 11 hits with 12 strikeouts and five walks.

The Lady Lions are back in action at Graham (9-11, 1-2) at 6:30 p.m. Friday.