Observer Sports Blog

The New Caney softball team had an emotional night. It was the last home game, senior night and an extremely crucial win for the Lady Eagles. One they couldn’t pull off. The sad thing was they lost in the first inning on rookie mistakes. They walk away, though, hopeful for next year, because next year they begin fresh. New district, new class. Only time will tell if the Lady Eagles are ready for the big 5A. New Caney softball will now focus on their ascendence to 5A after tonight’s loss to Crosby. The Cougars ended New Caney’s hopes of a playoff spot in a 5-1 ballgame.

In the top of the first, The Eagles fell behind 4-0. The momentum swung with Crosby and never really made its way around. The Lady Eagles found themselves in a deep whole and had already started getting down on themselves. Not a way to start a ballgame.

In the third, New Caney showed a defense that was in control. First baseman Jennifer Staruska was first to get on base with one of two for the night, but the lineup behind her couldn’t pull anything out.

The Lady Eagles mustarded up a few more chances in which they had runners in scoring position but couldn’t come up with timely bats. Taylor Petty and Kourtney Fiffe each had a hit, and senior pitcher Katey Oakley recorded six strikeouts and only one walk.

On paper, it seemed like New Caney should have won the ballgame, but error came into play. The Eagles made four devastating errors that ultimately cost them the game and a playoff spot.