Sweeny-Cuero Softball Game Story

From the Brazosport Facts
EL CAMPO — The Sweeny Lady Bulldogs fell 5-2 Friday night to the Cuero Lady Gobblers in Game 2 of their Class 4A regional semifinal series and were eliminated from this year’s postseason.

A big three-run inning from the Lady Gobblers in the third was too much for the Lady Bulldogs to overcome.

“It could be seen as disappointing because we didn’t move on, but it was a great season and so many positives came from this year, it’s hard for me to call it that,” Sweeny coach Melissa Hansen said. “The one thing this team always has is a family heartbeat.”

Cassie Homniok went the distance for the Lady Bulldogs by walking no one and strking out four while giving up four earned runs. Reagan Dunn went the distance for the Lady Gobblers as she walked one, struck out four and gave up one earned run for the win.

The first run of the game came in the second off a series of errors by the Lady Bulldogs that gave the Lady Gobblers a 1-0 lead. In the third, the Lady Gobblers were able to get to Homniok and score some runs.

After a leadoff strikeout, Reagan Dunn came up for the Lady Gobblers and tripled the other way. Andrea Aguilar brought her in to make it 2-0. A double from Kyndall Richardson put two on and then back-to-back hits from Ainsley Reeve and Mariah Guzman scored Aguilar and Richardson to extend the lead to 4-0.

Kristen Hansen for the Lady Bulldogs was able to get one run back in the fourth, however, with a laser to dead centerfield that snuck over the wall for a home run.

In the fifth, there were several more momentum-shifting moments as both teams scored their final runs.

In the top of the fifth, Sarah Briggs for the Lady Bulldogs reached on an error from the shortstop and was bunted over to second by Alyssa Buentello. After a groundout, Megan Kessler came up with two on and a runner at third. On an 0-2 count, she took a ball the opposite way into right to score courtesy runner Trinity Way and cut the lead to 4-2.

However, Kyndall Richardson and the Lady Gobblers had a response when she took a ball out of the park to right on a full count to extend the lead back to three.

With one out in the sixth, the Lady Bulldogs threatened to cut into the lead again with one out. Taylor Murphy singled into left and Kristen Hansen drew a walk.

With two on and one out though, the Lady Bulldogs were unable to score as a groundout and strikeout ended the inning.

They threatened again in the seventh when Buentello led the inning off with a double down the left field line. With two out, Maddie Stewart joined her on base to put runners on the corners and the tying run at the plate.

Dunn was able to get a strikeout to end the game though and the Gobblers will advance.

“Two of out of three seniors are continuing the career and we have a young team that gives you everything,” Melissa Hansen said.

“I can’t ask for more from these girls. We made a few errors that were out of the norm and maybe cost us in this series, but I’m so proud of them.”

The Lady Bulldogs finished the season with a 19-13 record.