The Lady Jackets were well on their way to upsetting the district-leading Grand Saline Lady Indians last Friday. They led the visitors 5-3 after three innings.  

Then came the disastrous fourth. Six fielding errors gifted Grand Saline six runs, turning the game permanently in the Lady Indians’ favor.

Grand Saline went on to take the game 11-9.

Coming out of that nightmare inning, it was clear that the Lady Jackets had their confidence shaken. However, they fought through it and put up runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh. 

In the fifth, doubles by Jadelyn Marshall and Courtney Nguyen picked up a run. In the sixth it was Mahayla McMahon who hammered a double which drove in Kaitlyn McMahon.

In the meantime, Mineola’s struggles in the field continued. An error and a passed ball contributed to Grand Saline scores in the sixth and seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mineola trailed 11-7. With one away, Jorja Young beat out an infield hit. Nguyen was plunked squarely in the back and Mineola was in business.

Nguyen was forced at second, but Emily Hodges reached when the throw to complete a double-play went awry. Young scored on the fielder’s choice.  

The top of the order was up with one on and two away. Caroline Castleberry stepped in and banged a base hit up the middle, driving-in Hodges. It appeared the rally was on. 

Castleberry had a great jump upon contact and took a wide turn at second with thoughts to stretch the hit to a triple. She was caught in a run down which ended the rally and the game.

Coming off a seventh-inning loss last Tuesday at Malakoff and with the nightmare inning against Grand Saline, it is hard to say how good the Lady Jackets are. Given a clean game, they could go a long way in the playoffs. They match up with any team on a position-by-position basis, and they can score.