Lady Guard maul Midland Christian, advance to state semifinals

The Brook Hill Lady Guard are going to state!

Led by three doubles and six RBIs from Taylor Schultz, the Lady Guard mauled Midland Christian 12-2 Thursday in their TAPPS 4A Regional Playoff game in Brock.

The victory moves Brook Hill (20-5-1) into the state semifinals for the second time in program history. The Lady Guard will face district foe Dallas Christian (16-3) next week in Sweeny.

Freshman Kasey Anderson was dazzling in the circle, allowing two runs while scattering six hits with four strikeouts.

Her teammates gave her all the run support she could ask for and more, beginning in the bottom of the first inning.

Anderson wiggled out of a tight situation in the top of the first. After giving up back-to-back singles, the freshman retired the next three in order with a strikeout, lineout and pop out.

Then the Lady Guard offense went to work and Midland Christian’s pitcher proved powerless to stop them. Maddie Parker led off with a walk followed by a bunt single from Maddie Anthony. Parker raced around to third and beat the throw, but MC was able to get the ball in time to second to put out Anthony trying to move up a base. But in so doing, allowed Parker to score for a 1-0 lead.

The bases now empty, Schultz and AD Kuechle changed that with singles. Alyssa Duplichain followed with a double to score Schultz and leave runners at second and third. With two outs, Lexi Crenshaw plated both with a two-run triple to right field and a 4-0 lead.

The Lady Guard went back to work in the bottom of the second.

Cassie Cannon singled to lead off. Parker tried to sacrifice Cannon to second, but a misplay on her bunt allowed her to also reach base on the error with Canon going to third. Parker stole second and Anthony used a squeeze bunt to drive in Cannon. Schultz followed up with the first of her three doubles on the night to score Parker for a 6-0 lead.

Kuechle kept things moving with an RBI single to score Schultz for a 7-0 advantage.

Midland Christian broke through for its first run of the game in the top of the third, and it was immediately answered by another three-spot by Brook Hill in the bottom of the inning.

Morgan Moss started it off with a one-out single and went to second with Cannon walked. The Lady Guard eventually loaded the bases with two outs after a walk to Anthony. Schultz said thank you with a bases-clearing double and 10-1 lead.

Midland Christian sliced another run off Brook Hill’s advantage in the fifth, but needing two runs to put the 10-run rule into play, the Lady Guard did just that with a two-run double by Schultz that scored Maddie Parker and Maddie Anthony to end the game.

Lady Guard Stats

Midland Christian          001     01  —  2   6   1

Brook Hill                       433    02  —   12   13   1

Hits (13): Maddie Anthony 2, Taylor Schultz 4, AD Kuechle 2, Alyssa Duplichain 2, Lexi Crenshaw 1, Morgan Moss 1, Cassie Cannon 1.

Runs (12): Maddie Parker 3, Maddie Anthony 2, Taylor Schultz 2, AD Kuechle 1, Alyssa Duplichain 1, Morgan Moss 1, Cassie Cannon 2.

Runs Batted In (11): Maddie Anthony 1, Taylor Schultz 6, AD Kuechle 1, Alyssa Duplichain 1, Lexi Crenshw 2.

Doubles (4): Taylor Schultz 3, Alyssa Duplichain 1

Triples (2): Lexi Crenshaw, Alyssa Duplichain 1