WALLER — The Burton Lady Panthers will try to keep their playoff hopes alive Friday night after falling 7-3 to Weimar in Game 1 of the Confernce 2A Division II regional semifinals Thursday at Waller High School.
Weimar struck early, capitalizing on a first-inning RBI single from Claire Pavlu and a third-inning solo home run by Taylor Smith. The Lady Kats added two more runs in the fifth and three insurance runs in the sixth to pull away despite a sixth-inning surge from Burton.
“We knew they were going to small-ball us, and they executed it really well,” Burton head coach Zach Zorn said. “They put pressure on us and came up with a big hit or two once they had runners on. That was the biggest difference.”
Burton broke through in the sixth after three straight Weimar errors. Amaya Williams and Lexi Broesche scored on a two-run double by Paige Fritsch, who later scored on an infield single from Laci Broesche to make it a 4-3 game. But Weimar responded in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases and plating three runs to put the game out of reach.
Senior Bailey Glaesmann pitched a complete game for Burton, giving up seven runs – only three earned – on nine hits while striking out four. Smith, meanwhile, kept the Lady Panthers off balance with 13 strikeouts over seven innings, allowing just two earned runs.
Fritsch led the way offensively for Burton, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Williams also had a multi-hit game and the defense turned a double play.
Despite the loss, Zorn said he remains confident in his squad heading into Friday’s Game 2, which was also played in Waller. If Burton won, a decisive Game 3 took place Saturday afternoon.
“We had chances early in the game and couldn’t push runs across, but I was encouraged by how we swung the bats late,” Zorn said. “We’ve just got to carry that momentum into tomorrow and clean up some of our defensive mistakes.”
With the long trip back to Waller and their season on the line, Zorn said his players were locked in.
“After looking them in the eye tonight, I think they’re ready,” he said. “They’re still confident in themselves and their teammates. I’ve told them all year we’re a tough team to beat for seven innings. They got us tonight, but tomorrow’s a new day. I feel good about our chances.”
Check Tuesday’s edition and The Banner-Press Facebook page for full coverage of the series and whether the Lady Panthers advance to the regional finals to meet Shiner.