Russell Slaton

russell@themonitor.net

KERENS–The Kerens Lady ‘Cats softball team won the District 20-2A championship April 19 behind Rylee Spivey’s no-hitter, her second in a row.
Kerens, which swept the Neches Lady Tigers to close the regular season, finished their regular schedule with a 9-1 district record and an overall record of 22-6-1. The Lady ‘Cats are next scheduled to play in a Bi-District best-of-three playoff series against Big Sandy. The first game was scheduled April 26 at Grand Saline while game two was set April 28 at Emory Rains High School. The third game, if necessary, is scheduled Saturday, April 30, with its location to be decided.
Playing at home April 19 against Neches on Senior Night, the game was scoreless into the seventh inning, when Ella Engel drove in Emma Combs for the winning run. The 1-0 Kerens victory included 14 strikeouts by Spivey during her no-hitter on the mound, during which she gave up two walks. McKenzie Bancroft also hit a double during the game.
Kerens followed the no-hit district-clinching victory with another win to close the regular season April 22, this time at Neches. The Lady Tigers had taken a one-run lead into the third inning, when Kerens plated two runs. That was enough for Kerens to secure a 2-1 win.
April 22, Bancroft and Kenadee Lynch both hit doubles to drive in one run apiece. Olivia Holt also hit a double, with Engel adding a single. Spivey pitched again, striking out eight Lady Tigers and giving up two walks.