After splitting a doubleheader Thursday, Corrigan-Camden and Lovelady softball took the field Saturday for a deciding game in Nacogdoches. The Lady Bulldogs left little doubt, on the good end of an 11-1 decision in five innings.
“We didn't commit any errors on defense and we put the ball in play very well,” Lady Dog coach Rusti Hall said. “They had a couple of errors, but we hit the ball well.”
The last time Corrigan-Camden softball reached the third round of the playoffs was 2017. Hall is in her fifth season as coach of the Lady Dogs, and this season represents the first time Corrigan-Camden has made the playoffs since 2019. Hall has been able to lead a team that starts six freshmen into the regional semifinals.
The new challenge will be Hawkins, who defeated Rivercrest in three games, and Mildred in two to make the third round.
The best-of-three series will be played at Rusk High School Thursday, Friday and, if needed, Saturday. The Thursday and Friday games are both scheduled for 8 p.m.
Without a common opponent, Hall said film study will be important in scouting the team north of Tyler.
“We're looking good. We've won eight of our last 10 games that we have played,” Hall said. Since senior night, we have been meshing well and all clicking at the same time. The top to bottom of our lineup are all coming together and putting the ball in play. We have told the girls that if they do their job at the plate and are putting the ball in play, somebody is bound to make an error at some point.”
The Lady Dogs are one of just 16 teams still in the brackets in their classification.
