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UIL softball playoffs: Colleyville Heritage hands Hanks 4-2 loss in Game 1

felix f. chavez, el paso times
·2 min read
Hanks High School's Desirae Spearman reacts after losing to Colleyville Heritage High School in the first game of the best of three series of the 1-5A semifinals game at Midland Greenwood High School on Friday, May 19, 2023. Hanks lost 2-4 in the
Hanks High School's Desirae Spearman reacts after losing to Colleyville Heritage High School in the first game of the best of three series of the 1-5A semifinals game at Midland Greenwood High School on Friday, May 19, 2023. Hanks lost 2-4 in the

MIDLAND — Colleyville Heritage scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning and handed Hanks a 4-2 loss in the opening game of the best-of-3 Region I-5A semifinal softball series at Midland Greenwood High School.

The Panthers (34-6-1) loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh off Knights starting pitcher Desirae Spearman with a hit batter, walk and single. But Spearman induced a fly out and pop out to record two outs. But Alexis Perales earned a walk and Nia Sisneros was hit by a pitch to bring in the two runs and give the Panthers the 4-2 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Panthers starting pitcher Lindsey McConnell, who earned the win, closed out the game by retiring Hanks in order.

"We needed to come out with a bit more energy, I thought we were a bit flat to start the game," said Spearman, who struck out eight batters in going all seven innings in the circle. "We'll have to come out more aggressive on Saturday."

The Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-RBI single by Sisneros, which followed a walk and an error.

Hanks High School action against Colleyville Heritage High School in the first game of the best two of three series of the 1-5A semifinals game at Midland Greenwood High School on Friday, May 19, 2023. Hanks lost 2-4 in the
Hanks High School action against Colleyville Heritage High School in the first game of the best two of three series of the 1-5A semifinals game at Midland Greenwood High School on Friday, May 19, 2023. Hanks lost 2-4 in the

But the Knights came back with a run in the third on a solo homer by Spearman, her 29th of the season, and a run in the sixth. In the sixth, Spearman and Judith Osuna walked to begin the inning and advanced to third on a groundout by Mia Bailey. Alejandra Salazar brought in Spearman with a nicely placed bunt single to tie game but McConnell retired the last two batters to get out of the inning and escape further damage.

"We had some opportunities we didn't cash in on and Colleyville Heritage took advantage of some of its opportunities," Knights coach Shelley Prather said. "We battled, Desirae did a great job of pitching and we did some good things overall. We just have to come back Saturday and fight back."

Hanks suffered its first loss of the playoffs and its second loss of the season and is 38-2 overall. The two teams play Game 2 at 10 a.m. Saturday with a third game to follow, if needed. The Knights are seeking their first trip to the regional finals.

More: Hanks ready for region semis Hanks High School softball team looks to take one more step in playoffs

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UIL softball playoffs: Colleyville Heritage hands Hanks loss