Ladycats break playoff barrier
To face Area opponent McKinney North Friday-Saturday

Whitehouse is all smiles after defeating bi-district opponent Lindale 5-1 last week.

Whitehouse blew past Lindale in last Thursday's bidistrict contest, overcoming pesky winds and the Ladycats' history of firstround postseason losses.

The 5-1 victory sets up a three-game series between Whitehouse and McKinney North in the round of Area. The first game will be played Friday at 7:30 p.m. in McKinney. Game two will be 5 p.m. Saturday in Whitehouse, with a third game 30 minutes afterward, if necessary.

The win over Lindale avenged an earlier 3-2 loss this year, and, more importantly, broke the playoff barrier.

"I think this is a huge mental hurdle for the girls. They went into Thursday's game knowing that no team in school history had accomplished what they were trying to do," said head coach Alicia Crawford.

With narrow losses the past two years in bi-district, Crawford said the win was especially sweet for her seniors. "It just seemed like we couldn't get it together in the playoffs, so this was a welcome change."

Catcher Megan Brady scoops up a bunt and looks to throw to first in the Ladycats' win over Lindale.

Whitehouse held together in a couple of tight spots in the contest with Lindale.

Twice, the Lady Eagles loaded the bases with just one out, and both times the Whitehouse defense held.

"We had big strikeouts in both innings where the bases were loaded. I have to credit both my pitchers; they did an excellent job," said Crawford.

Starter Emily Costlow did the honors in the top of the first inning, fanning two in a row to get out of trouble.

Cagen Medlock replaced Costlow to start the third inning in the scoreless game. The Lady Eagles singled and then grounded out to advance a runner to second. With one out, the next batter hit short to center. A good throw from Erica Fuller held the lead runner at third.

Medlock walked the next batter to load the bases with one out.

Lindale grounded to third and Taylor Russell threw home for out number two.

With a full count against the next batter, Medlock earned the third out on a called strike.

An energized Whitehouse team broke open the scoring in the bottom of the third.

Right fielder Jesse Allen led off with a bunt single. Left fielder Haylee Aldredge followed with a sacrifice bunt that advanced Allen to second.

With one out, Fuller hit the ball sharply at the short stop who dropped it and then overthrew third, allowing Allen to score and Fuller to move to second.

A single to third base by Chelsey Boulware gave Whitehouse runners on first and second with Russell at the plate.

Wasting little time, the senior hit the first pitch to the left center fence; both runners scored with Boulware safely beating the throw home.

Megan Brady and Jordan Knight struck out for the next two outs, stranding Russell, but giving the Ladycats a 3-0 lead heading into the fourth.

"Russell's double to left center was huge; it really sparked us," said Crawford. "She really took advantage of that pitch."

After a quick three up, three down by Lindale, Whitehouse was back at the plate.

With one out, Medlock singled to center and was replaced by courtesy runner Rachel Kidwell. Kidwell moved to second on a walk by Allen.

Aldredge singled to the short stop who threw to third, but Kidwell slid in safely.

With the bases loaded, Fuller hit into a fielder's choice that scored Kidwell; a throwing error then allowed Allen to score and Fuller to move to second. After two quick outs, Whitehouse had a 5-0 lead going into the fifth inning.

Neither team produced any hits in the fifth inning, and the Lady Eagles also had a quick at bat in the top of the sixth.

Whitehouse threatened again in the bottom of the sixth, with Allen earning a lead off bunt single and then stealing second base.

With one out, Fuller reached first on a single to right field, advancing Allen to third.

Fuller stole second, but the next two batters were retired, bringing up Lindale's final at bat.

With two outs and one run scored, the Lady Eagles' season ended after a relay throw to catcher Brady reached home just in time.

"I couldn't be more proud of them," said Crawford. "They've worked really hard all year, and they deserve it."

Pitching: Costlow - 2 innings, 3 hits, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk; Medlock - 5 innings, 4 hits, 4 strikeouts, 4 walks, 1 earned run.

Hitting: Fuller 2-for-4, two singles; Russell 1-for-4, double, two RBIs; Medlock 1-for-2; Allen 2-for-3, two singles, two runs scored.

McKinney North's conference mark was 11-3, and they finished as co-champions of District 9-4A.