FHS Lady Jackrabbits Sweep Rockwall in Playoff Games

05-23-2012

C.L. Brau
Post Sports Writer

The Forney Lady Jackrabbits swept the Rockwall Lady Yellowjackets, 8-1 and 8-2, in a three game series last weekend in their continuing bid for a top spot in the 2012 Texas Girls State Softball Playoffs.

The first game in the 4A Region 2 Regional Semifinals was played in Forney on Thursday, May 17th at Malberry Park with fans from both Forney and Rockwall packing the stands in support for their respective teams.

With Senior Danielle Najera on the mound the Lady Jackrabbits were in top form and worked quickly and decisively to retired the Lady Yellowjacket hitters.

In the first inning, the Lady Jackrabbits took an early 3-0 lead which included a homerun from Taylor Penn.

Not giving the Lady Yellowjackets a chance to get on base the Lady Jackrabbits added more runs in the 3rd inning to extend their lead to 6-0.

Rockwall was able to score in the 5th inning when Forney had a slight miscommunication. However, Forney answered back with a two run homer from Senior Natalie Mayhall.

The Lady Jackrabbits changed pitchers in the 6th inning and Sophomore Allison Brown finished the last two innings. The final score of the first game was Forney 8, Rockwall 1.

The second game was played on Friday, May 18th, at Rockwall High School with fans once again packed in the stands.

Forney scored in the top of the 1st inning when Taylor LeFlore doubled to centerfield earning an RBI.

With Najera once again on the mound the Lady Jackrabbit fielders dominated the game with precision playing by all the girls.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the 5th inning when Forney exploded and added five runs to the scoreboard before Rockwall could stop them.

Taking the outfield in the bottom of the 5th Forney once again swopped pitchers. With Brown taking Najera’s place on the mound the Lady Jackrabbits continued to control the game.

The Lady Jackrabbits widen their lead by two runs in the 6th inning.

After loading the bases with two walks and a base hit, Naera returned to the mound for the Lady Jackrabbits. The Lady Yellowjackets scored 2 points before the Lady Jackrabbits could end the game. The final score of the second game was 8-2.

With these victories the Lady Jackrabbits move on to the Regional finals next week where they will play the Ennis Lady Lions.

The first game will be on Thursday, May 24th, at 7:30 p.m. in Ennis, Texas at 1701 Lake Bardwell Drive.

The second game will be on Friday, May 25th, at 7:30 p.m. in Forney, Texas at the Mulberry Park softball fields next to Warren Middle School.

If necessary a third game will be played on Saturday, May 26th, at a place yet to be determined.