Published: April 22, 2008 02:52 pm            

Lady Panthers clinch playoffs with 4-0 win

By SALLY SEXTON

H-P Sports Writer



FAIRFIELD — The Westwood Lady Panthers had one last shot after winning Friday night to force a third-place tie with Mexia in District 19-3A.

The Lady Panthers put it all on the line Monday night in the playoff game at Don Posey Field at Fairfield High School to win 4-0 over the Ladycats and secure themselves a spot in the playoffs.

“With this being my first year to coach, it’s very special to me and the team,” Westwood head coach Kimberly Fisher said.

While it is a first time for Fisher, it is also the first playoff appearance for all of the players as Westwood has not made it to the playoffs since 2004.

“Words can’t describe what I’m feeling right now, and I’m really happy for the girls,” the Westwood coach said.

The Lady Panthers will play Rusk in the first round, but time and place were not available at press time.

Things started slowly for Westwood as the first six batters were retired in order.

The Lady Panthers finally caught a break in the bottom of the third inning when Candace Smith earned a walk and scored on a bad throw from Mexia trying to get Brittany Barlow out.

Barlow reached second on the throw, which allowed Sarah Blair to come to the plate and hit a two-out RBI single

through the third base side, scoring Barlow to give Westwood a 2-0 lead.

From that point, the Ladycats got few opportunities as Sumer Davis shut them down, finishing with a four-hit, six strike-out performance.

“Our hitting is still improving and our pitching is getting stronger,” Fisher said. “Sumer is getting to the point where she can get people out with as few pitches as possible.”

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Panthers got another opportunity when Smith started a run with a single and Barlow reached on a scoring error.

Jazmine Hicks kept the run alive with a double past the left fielder to score two more runs, making it 4-0.

“It was a real tight game early on, but we got back on track,” Fisher said. “The bottom of the lineup got everything started, which is something you really want to happen.”

Smith went 1-for-1 with a walk, single and two runs scored.

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Sally Sexton can be reached via e-mail at sports2@palestineherald.com

        

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