There are only two words for the Alba-Golden vs. Como-Pickton softball game last Monday up in Hopkins County: Mattison Buster.

The senior Como-Pickton fireballer gave up two base hits, one walk and struck-out 17. It was a dominating performance. Even Alba-Golden’s Skyler West – arguably Alba-Golden’s best hitter – could not catch up with Buster’s fastball.

What came to mind while watching Buster was that it must have felt similar for people watching David Clyde pitch at Spring Branch High School in the early ‘70s before going directly to the big leagues as a Texas Ranger.

Buster certainly helped her own cause. In the third inning she drilled a pitch far over the left-centerfield fence for a solo home run. In the sixth she did it again – this time ripping the first pitch she faced to centerfield where it bounced off the top of the fence.

The Lady Panthers were defeated 6-1 in seven innings. Megan Wallace got the start on the mound, and despite throwing a lot of pitches, put together a solid game. She spread six hits and struck out four. 

The Lady Eagles put up two runs in the bottom of the first, when a triple to the left field corner scored two runners.

Alba-Golden pushed a run across in the third with some nice team ball. Alyssa Murdock drew a base on balls. She was sacrificed to second with a Cacie Lennon bunt and likewise to third base with a Kalli Trimble bunt base hit. Murdock scored easily on a passed ball. 

The Lady Eagles answered with three runs in the bottom half. After the Buster home run, Como-Pickton put three runners on and two scored on passed balls. 

The remainder of the game was scoreless except for the solo home run in the sixth. 

Noteworthy performances included Trimble going 2 for 3 at the plate, as she laid down two excellent bunts for infield base hits. Also of note was the first out against the Lady Eagles in the bottom of the fifth. The Lady Eagle batter hit a towering pop which went practically straight up – a very difficult play for the catcher.  Alba-Golden’s Bailee Bishop steadied herself, took two steps down the third baseline and made the catch. 

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Lady Panther Lanie Wright was sent in to pinch hit. Wright was clearly stunned by the velocity of Buster’s delivery and she went down 0-2. On the next delivery, however, Wright made good contact and sent a tough chance to the third baseman. She reached base. 

The next chance to see the Lady Panthers will be Tuesday, April 11 at home against Satillo.