MINEOLA — Harmony softball catcher Tracy Hoeft said the pitching was so good in Tuesday's playoff against Edgewood, both teams had to guess in their hitting. Edgewood eventually guessed right.
Cassidi Henderson hit a two-out double in the top of the eighth inning to drive in the only run in Edgewood's 1-0 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-three Class 2A area series at the Mineola Youth Softball Complex. Henderson's hit drove in Jazmine Dunn, who preceded Henderson with a double to left-center field.
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Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo | Harmony's Katie Wilson attempts a bunt during Tuesday's playoff game against Edgewood in Mineola.
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Henderson also pitched a one-hitter for the win. Harmony couldn't manage another hit after Samantha Wolfe led off the bottom of the first with a bunt single.
Harmony hit just one ball out of the infield as Henderson (19-5) had nine strikeouts. It was Henderson's second shutout of the playoffs, after a 2-0 bi-district win over Cooper last week. Harmony coach Renesia Wilburn said her team still had chances to win the game.
"She (Henderson) was probably better than anyone we faced in district. She has a variety of pitches, a good riseball," Renesia Wilburn said. "But we had chances with runners in scoring position. They took advantage of their opportunities and we didn't."
Harmony (28-8) must win Game 2 on Friday to extend the series. Game 2 is 6 p.m. Friday at the Mineola Youth Softball Complex. Game 3 returns to the complex at 2 p.m. Saturday if necessary.
Harmony pitcher Samantha Matulis (14-5) matched Henderson's production most of the game. Using a corner-biting curveball, Matulis had 10 strikeouts while allowing one hit in the first six innings. Edgewood (19-6) had four hits for the game.
"Sam was still throwing good in the eighth inning," Hoeft said. "They just guessed right. We just have to come back and win two games."
Seventh inning
Both teams had chances to score runs in the seventh inning.
In the top of the frame, Brittany Eason reached on a fielding error, was sacrificed to second by Summer Alcalan and went to third on a Heather Stallings single to left. Matulis got Kallie Stanley to ground out to end the threat.
Hoeft drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the inning and went to second on a fielder's choice in which Hoeft was safe at second. Matulis got Raney Pierce to ground into a fielder's choice and struck out Jessica Pearson to get out of the jam.
Notable
Wolfe was stranded at second in the first inning ... Harmony's lone ball hit of the infield was Amber Wilburn's drive to right to lead off the seventh inning ... Eason was stranded at second base in the first inning.
