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March 22, 2002 - In the battle of the pitchers, Cinco Ranch came out on top of Katy High School
with a 2-1 victory. The result might be considered an upset since Katy entered the game as the
No. 1 ranked team in 5A in the Greater Houston area. The game was knotted 0-0 before
entering the International tie breaker inning. It was the first time that Cinco Ranch beat
Katy High School in District 19-5A.
The pitcher for Cinco Ranch was junior Christina Smith. The 6 ft. tall Smith entered the
game with a a 10-4 pitching record and 0.26 ERA. The 0.26 ERA is 7th best in 5A in the
Greater Houston Area. Christina also had 115 strike-outs entering the game which is the
3rd best in 5A in the Greater Houston Area.
Christina added 5 more strike-outs to her season total. This was quite a feat since Katy
entered the game as the No. 3 hitting team in 5A in the Greater Houston area. Christina
scattered 5 hits and 1 walk in the 10 inning game. The walk was intentional. College
Sports Exposure radar Christina throwing her fastball 63 mph in the 2nd and 3rd innings.
Christina joins Jessica Denham (63 mph) of Alvin as the two fastest pitchers radar by
College Sports Exposure in the Houston area. Christina mixed the fastball with an awesome
change-up and some movement pitches.
The pitcher for Katy was Katy Maxey. Katy entered the game with a 12-2 record which is the
No. 4 best record in 5A in the Greater Houston Area. Katy Maxey finished last season on the
2001 All-Greater Houston softball team and was a pre-season selection in 2002. In the game,
Katy Maxey had 14 strike-outs and scattered three walks. One of the walks was intentional.
Katy had a no-hitter going until Carmen Buckles hit a game winning double in the tie breaker.
In this game, Katy Maxey proved she was more than just a pitcher. At her first appearance at
the plate she drove a fly deep into center field that was unfortunately caught by center fielder
Alicia Brasset. Katy had a single to left field in the 4th inning and double in the 10th inning.
Although no runner crossed home plate until the 10th inning, there were some tense moments.
In the 9th inning, Katy's Jennifer Holas reached 1st on an error by the Cinco Ranch 3rd baseman.
Colleen Brownell sacrifice bunted Jennifer to 2nd base. Erin Gray popped up to the second baseman
Evelyn Brucker for out number two. Christiana Smith intentionally walked Megan Gore to load
the bases. However Celeste Rickert grounded out to the 3rd baseman Whitney Rawllins to end the
inning.
In the 10th inning, with a runner on 2nd base because of the International Tie Breaker rule,
Amanda McKnight sacrifice bunted the runner to 3rd. Katy Maxey doubled to bring in Katy's only run.
On a bazaar play, the runner at 2nd was tagged out by second baseman Evelyn Brucker. Katy's coach
Kaluum Haack tried to change the umpire's decision but the decision stayed for out number two.
Julie Waddill then hit the ball to first baseman Ashley Yanchak for the third out.
With Maxey on the mound, the Cinco Ranch batters were retired in order, until the 8 inning. Haley
Broussard reached 1st on an error by the short stop. Haley hit a Texas Leaguer behind the freshman
short stop Kelsey Camarata who made a great effort to get the glove on the ball but unfortunately
couldn't hang onto it. Stacie Fox sacrifice bunted Haley to second base. Carmen Buckles walked.
Alicia Brassett popped up to the catcher for out number two. The next batter struck-out.
In the 10 inning, Sarah Hagerman started at 2nd base as a runner because of the International Tie
Breaker rule. Ashley Yancak reached 1st base on a catching error by the second baseman. Haley Broussard
was intentionally walked to load the bases. Taryn Walker was substituted in Haley's place at first
as a pinch runner. Stacey Walker drove in Sarah Hagerman when a ground ball that got past the Katy third
baseman for an error. With the score tied a 1-1, Carmen Buckles doubled to deep right center to win the game.
Megan Gore, Julie Waddill and Kelsey Camarata collected hits in addition to the single and double by
Katy Maxey. Megan single to right field in the 4th inning. She displayed her power at the bat by
driving a fly deep into center in the 2nd inning that was caught by the center fielder Alicia Brasset.
Cinco Ranch had so much respect for Megan that they intentionally walked her in the 9th. Megan has signed
a Letter of Intent to catch for Blinn Community College. Julie singled to left field in the 3rd inning.
Kelsey singled to right field in the 5th inning.
Sophomore Carmen Buckles double was the only hit allowed by Katy Maxey. Carmen plays travel ball with the
Cy-Fair Intruders.
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