The Santa Gertrudis Academy softball team weathered a lightning delay and a seventh inning rally to earn a 7-6 win over Kirbyville in Game 1 of a Class 3A Division II state semifinal series in Seguin.
The Lions roared out of the gate and hit two home runs in the first inning and were led by K’Lee Bazan who was 3 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Adelyn Lopez was 4 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI and Hailey Ortega was 3 for 4 with one home run and a double as Santa Gertrudis Academy amassed 13 hits, including six extra-base hits.
D’Andra Fernandez scattered eight hits in seven innings, allowing six runs with one walk and four strikeouts to earn the win for the Lions.
Santa Gertrudis Academy stretched the lead to 7-4 in the sixth inning, but a lightning delay was called just before the bottom of the seventh inning.
After the delay, Kirbvilly had two singles and a double and had runners on second and third, having cut the deficit to 7-6 before Fernandez struck out Lilly Cooper and induced a ground out from Emma Clotiaux to close out the win.
Game 2 is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23 in Seguin where the Lions will try to advance to the state championship game for the fourth time.
GAME 1
SANTA GERTRUDIS ACADEMY 7, KIRBYVILLE 6
W — D. Fernandez. L — C. Wiggins.
Highlights —SGA, Fernandez 7 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 4 K; K. Bazan 3-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBIs; H. Ortega 3-4, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI; A. Lopez 4-4, R, 2B, RBI; M. Munoz 1-4, RBI; S. Perales 1-4; A. DeLeon 1-4.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Santa Gertrudis Academy bats lead to Game 1 win in state semifinals