AUSTIN – Making the trip to state for the first time since 2001, the Sanger Indians’ magical playoff run ended in the Class 4A semifinals, 8-1 against Corpus Christi Calallen on Thursday at UT’s McCombs Field.
Sanger, which won the 3A title 23 years ago, ends 32-3.
Calallen (38-7) will face Liberty in a title rematch at 4 pm Saturday.
Leala Kloewer allowed nine hits, walked six and struck out three for the Indians. But the junior pitcher put together an incredible season – finishing with a 26-4 record.
Sanger, the visiting team, did start the game with a lead off walk to Kyley Cochran, but Calallen pitcher Jordyn Thibodeaux got three straight outs to end the frame. The Wildcats scored a half inning later on an RBI triple from Alaunah Amarez.
The Indians again reached to start the second with a walk to Dalilah Millan but couldn’t score after back-to-back fielder’s choice and a pop fly to short. Then Calallen tacked on four in its second inning with a two-run single by Brookelynn Meador and a two more on a Sanger throwing error.
Lily Wilson got Sanger’s first hit of the game with a two-out single in the third. MaKynna Meeks followed with a walk and both advanced into scoring position with a double steal. But Thibodeaux got a grounder to second that ended the threat.
Meador doubled in the fourth and scored on a single by Megan Geyer.
Another run came home on Sanger’s second error and the lead grew to 7-0.
After a weather delay, the Indians scored their only run int he top of the sixth when Abby Chapmond doubled to center that scored Harley Miller. Kloewer led the inning with a hit by pitch and Miller came in to courtesy run. She advanced to second and third on a grounder and drop third strike.
Geyer hit an RBI double for Calallen to make it 8-1.
Thibodeaux allowed five hits, walked one and struck out eight for the Wildcats.
Sanger beat Pampa in two games last week to win the Region 1 championship.
