Nacogdoches Lady Dragons Softball Park on Thursday, April 25, 2024 –
The Shelbyville Lady Dragons took a Bi-District varsity softball elimination win over the Lovelady Lady Lions by a 4-2 run score. The win gives Shelbyville a 22-10 season record and will advance them on to the area round of the state softball playoffs. Lovelady ends their season with a 11-13-1 season mark. The win will pit the Lady Dragons against the winner of the Big Sandy – West Sabine Bi-District series which is not yet completed.
Lovelady took the early lead scoring their only runs in the top of the second inning when Hana Hoffstetler and Dury Hoffstetler each drew free bases on a walk and by being hit by a pitch. They later scored on a double to right-centerfield by Madi Burleson which gave LLHS a 2-0 lead.
Shelbyville answered in the bottom of the second frame when Jayleigh Jones walked with two outs and scored when Bre Chambers reached on an errant throw by a Lions infielder. Chambers stole her way around the basepath to third base and then scored on a Taylor Jones single to leftfield. This tied the game at 2-2. This lead held up until SHS rallied in the bottom of the third inning when Lanie Bass and Cadee Harley scored to give the Lady Dragons a 4-2 lead which held up for the remainder of the contest.
Lanie Bass pitched the full game for SHS and gave up three hits, 2 walks, 2 hit batters and struck out 8. Madi Burleson pitched the full six innings for LLHS and gave up just 2 hits, walked 3 and struck out 5.
