Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Eustace first baseman Bryleigh Powers makes the putout to beat Malakoff’s Makayla Kijanowski in the teams’ April 1 District 15-3A battle.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Malakoff second baseman Kylie James flips the ball to first base during the April 1 District 15-3A contest versus the Eustace Lady Bulldogs.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Eustace shortstop Marissa Long looks toward third base for her next move in April 1’s 15-3A game, which Malakoff won 6-4.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Malakoff shortstop Kylie Miller conducts the forceout at second base during an April 1 double play opportunity against Eustace.

MALAKOFF–April 1, the Malakoff Lady Tigers softball team defeated the Eustace Lady Bulldogs, 6-4, in District 15-3A play, allowing Malakoff to stay near the top of the District standings.
Malakoff then beat Quitman, 18-3, April 7. 
Eustace took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. That started when Madilyn Andrews doubled to put Lady Bulldog runners on second and third base. Abigail Warren hit an infield single with two outs to bring home Page Miller for the first Eustace run, then Landrie Baker’s single to left field scored Andrews.
Malakoff responded in the bottom of the first when Kylie Miller singled home Ava Perkins, who had walked and stole second base and then advanced to third. Brie Smith then doubled home Miller to tie the game at 2-2. Makayla Kijanowski then hit a fielder’s choice to score Smith for a 3-2 Malakoff lead.
In the top of the second, Bryleigh Powers singled and Eustace followed by loading the bases. After tying the game at 3-3, Andrews scored on a Malakoff wild pitch to give Eustace a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the second, Kylie James and Perkins were on first and second base with two outs, but Andrews (pitching for Eustace) coaxed a forceout at third to end the inning.
In the top of the third, Skylar Long reached first base on an error after batting with a full count with two outs. After that, Powers reached base on a fielder’s choice, but a Eustace groundout ended that scoring threat.
Malakoff tied it in the bottom of the fourth when Kaitlyn Massingill doubled home Kylie James, and then took a 5-4 lead on pitcher Alabama Anding’s sacrifice fly, scoring Massingill.
Malakoff’s Briana Mott doubled home Avery Austin in the bottom of the fifth to add another Lady Tiger run to secure their 6-4 win.