“Now hear this! Now hear this! Attention, attention, please: we have a softball race in progress in district 25-3A, because Llano and Wimberley are fit to be tied with 4-1 records with four games to play. Remember to carry your hall pass at all times; thank you.”

The Lady Jackets’ 11-game district winning streak did not reach a dozen Friday, April 4, as the Lady Texans raced to a 10-4 victory to grab a share of first place.

“The kids were down,” head coach Brian Cottle said, “but they know, of course, they’re not out of it by any means. We have to re-focus, come back and start all over again.”

The start in Wimberley was reminiscent of what the Texans did in Llano, March 25, but this time there would be no triumphant rally for the Jackets. Morgan Anderson’s double was the big hit in a 3-run first inning. That drove in two, and the home nine led, 3-1, after one and never trailed.

The Black and Orange fought to pass muster with flying colors, and got to within a run in the fourth inning. Kelsie Simpson tripled and scored on an error. Simpson also had a two-base hit, and she crossed home twice in the game.

The Texans, who had lost to the Jackets three consecutive times dating back to 2007, made sure that was another streak which would end, as they tallied four runs in the fifth.

Llano suffered one tough break when Anderson’s ground ball took an ugly hop and smashed into the chin of shortstop Chelsea Montgomery. Two runs scored on this play. Wimberley “took the fifth,” and the case was close.

“Even after we win, and it’s a ‘W,’” Cottle advised, “we’re done with it, and it’s gone. The same is true with a loss: it’s an ‘L,’ and we go out and try to get the next ‘W.’”

The Jackets’ defense was lacking, and, in the circle, Katie Yeager started and did not last an inning at Wimberley; while Cierra Thompson was good at times, she struggled, too. CT had been brilliant in wins over the Texans and Bandera. Please see the story of the muzzle placed on the Bulldogs in this sports section.

Wimberley will be in Llano, April 15, and that contest should decide the district champion.

“We were obviously not pleased with the loss to the Texans,” Cottle declared, “but it should motivate us to come back and prove we can win district for a second year in a row. The kids understand that, and they’re ready to put forth the work and effort to get it done.”