Taylor Hillhouse hit a double into the gap in the bottom of the sixth inning, bringing home two runners and giving the Lady Viking softball team a come-from-behind victory over conference foe Florence, 3-2, to secure a second place showing during the AISD Tournament this past weekend in Austin.
Hillhouse’s game winning hit sent the Lady Vikings into the semifinals in which they faced the Junction Eagles for the right to play Lehman for the championship. Hannah Pietz went 1-3 with two RBIs and Courtney Sukup went 3-3 with two RBIs to help propel Lago past Junction 12-0 and into the final game of the tourney.
The Vikings faced a formidable opponent in Lehman which had defeated the Lady Vikings on three different occasions over the past three seasons. The Lady Lobos wasted little time in keeping the Lady Vikings winless against them as they jumped out to a 7-0 first run lead on the way to a 12-0 defeat and securing the championship crown.
“The kids just couldn’t contain the momentum built up in getting to this point,” said coach Sommer Wilson. “We didn’t come ready to play and against this team, you must bring your best. They were too much team for us to compete with this evening.”
The Lady Vikings dropped its opening game of the tournament to state-ranked and 3A powerhouse Burnet, 8-1. The Lady Vikings kept the game tied 1-1 until the Lady Bulldogs erupted for seven runs in the top of the fourth to end any chance of an upset and send Lago to the loser’s bracket.
Lago managed to bounce back the following day when it easily handled the Lanier Vikings 12-0 in a game that ended with the mercy rule after three innings. Charis Sultemeier pitched a complete game shutout to gain her third victory of the season and send the Lady Vikings into the next round where they faced Florence.
“It felt good to get three straight wins after opening the tournament with a loss and forcing our team into the consolation round,” Wilson said. “I am proud that we did well in such a prestigious tournament as the one set up at AISD. The girls really played hard.”
The AISD tournament paired 18 teams from across Austin and Central Texas in a Round Robin flight system where opening wins sent teams to the platinum round and losses placed teams into the consolation gold bracket.
The weekend victories put the Lady Vikings at 5-2 overall as they head out for a final tune up before opening district play next week as they travel to the Blanco Invitational today through Saturday. Wilson said she is confident her team can use the momentum built from the second-place finish to its advantage this weekend.
“Our bats are providing key run support for our pitching, and defensively we are where we need to be to compete in every game,” Wilson said. “If this past week is a barometer for how we are playing then I am excited that we are hitting the road for more games at the right time. From our pitching to base running, fundamentally this team is performing.”
The Lady Vikings will start district 25-2A competition on Tuesday at home when it faces off against perennial conference powerhouse Salado. With numerous returning starters and a deep bench, Wilson knows the pressure will be put upon her team to perform and exceed win totals from a year ago in which the squad was made up of mainly underclassmen will little experience.
“I have high expectations for this team as much of our infield is returning starters from a year ago. The girls have set goals for themselves as well as for the team before the season began. We are on the right track. We just need to execute to our fullest each and ever night,” Wilson said.