By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
HUTTO – Clutch players make big plays.
Hutto third baseman Kenna Spence broke out of her slump at the right time and made the biggest clutch play of the Hippo’s season.
Trailing visiting Vista Ridge 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the junior blasted a double to right field wall with the bases loaded to drive in three runs and give Hutto its first lead of the game.
In the top of the seventh, freshman pitcher Bailey Kelley retired the Rangers in order to secure a 5-4 victory and a trip to the UIL softball playoffs.
“When the pressure’s on, you only have to thrive,” Spence said. “It was senior night, and our team really needed this win. I think we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”
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Spence drove in four runs total and was 2 for 3 at the plate. In the third inning, she drove in right fielder Makayla Martinez to cut Vista Ridge’s lead to two runs.
Facing elimination from playoff contention, leadoff hitter Chloe Wheeler set the tone early with a double on the first at bat to start a three-run first inning for the Rangers (12-12, 9-7).
Sophomore Karmen Hartman drove in Wheeler and finished with two RBIs and a run scored while going 2 for 4 at the plate.
Hartman drove in Wheeler a second time in the top of the second inning to give Vista Ridge a 4-0 lead.
After settling down in the third inning, Kelley and the Hippos’ defense didn’t allow another run for the rest of the game.
Hutto chipped away at the Rangers’ lead in the Hippos’ next two at bats, scoring one run apiece in the second and third innings.
Vista Ridge freshman pitcher Ariel Tobeck showed why she will be a player to watch in the next three years.
Despite giving up the double to Spence, Tobeck gave up four earned runs, walked one batter and struck out six. She threw 106 pitches with 70 of them being strikes.
Had the Rangers won Thursday, they would have forced a one-game playoff for the final playoff spot from 25-6A. Hutto’s win sets them up for a bi-district showdown with Lake Travis next week.
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