Burnet softball beats Lampasas
CAPTION: Senior Journey Denton reacts to her home run in leading the offensive effort for the Lady Dawgs against Lampasas March 24. Photo by Christopher A. Miles/Christopher A. Miles Photography
The Burnet High School softball team beat Lampasas 10-5 March 24 and lost to Jarrell 14-5 March 27.
“(March 24) was a great way to end the first half of district,” Lady Dawgs head coach Jayci Craig said. “We performed well on the offensive side of things, which ultimately led to a Lady Dawg win. I think one of my team’s biggest strengths is when one player gets us started strong, it becomes a ripple effect throughout our lineup. Just like most teams, we feed off of each other’s energy and confidence. When we start to do good things, they start to trust their preparation.”
The Lady Badgers (14-11, 2-4) hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning, but the Lady Dawgs (12-11-2, 2-5) answered with at two-spot in the top of the third inning on a solo home run by senior Carlee Williams and an Abby Bennight single.
Lampasas hit a solo home run to regain the lead 3-2 in the third inning.
In the fourth inning, Burnet took the lead for good highlighted by a home run by Journey Denton and by Lacie Lewis’ two-run homer. By the end, the Lady Dawgs led 7-3.
“The girls were locked in, supporting each other and enjoying the moment,” the coach said. “You could feel the momentum building, and they were feeding off every big hit and every run scored. It was one of those innings where everyone was engaged, and it really brought our team together. I have talked a lot with the girls this season about a dugout mentality and how important it is for us all to play our roles in the dugout. We saw that when we create energy in the dugout, good things happen.”
Lampasas scored a run in the fourth and fifth innings before the Burnet defense held in the final two innings. Meanwhile, the Lady Dawgs scored a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
Denton went 3 for 4 at the plate including a single in the first inning, a double in the fifth inning and her home run. Bennight had two hits. Lampasas committed 12 errors.
Pitcher Williams got the win thanks to allowing four earned runs off nine hits and a walk while striking out four in seven innings.
“This season we have talked a lot about energy being contagious,” Craig said. “When we are scoring runs, you can feel the confidence pick up across the field. That confidence typically translates into being more aggressive defensively, communicating better and making plays. When they’re loose and confident at the plate, it shows in how they carry themselves on defense.”
Against Jarrell, the Lady Dawgs plated a run in the first inning then Jarrell took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. The Lady Cougars scored two runs in the first, three in the second, two in the third, two in the fourth, two in the fifth, and three in the sixth innings. Jarrell had 12 hits. The Lady Dawgs committed five errors.
Burnet travels to Salado Tuesday, March 31, then welcomes Georgetown Gateway Thursday, April 2, with the junior varsity playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 7 p.m. before enjoying a bye April 7.
“I am really proud of the girls for how they ended the first round of district,” Craig said. “Both our JV and varsity have progressed so much and are competing well, and I am excited to see what we accomplish the rest of the season.”
CAPTION: Catcher Braelyn Smith sets the defense for the Lady Dawgs. Photo by Christopher A. Miles/Christopher A. Miles Photography
