In its final home game of the regular season, the Sealy Lady Tiger softball squad defeated the Navasota Rattlers 7-2 last Friday evening to move to 5-2 within District 24-4A with only three games left to play.

The Friday win also snapped a two-game skid where Sealy was outscored 33-5 in a pair of run-rule losses and was hopefully just what the doctor ordered according to head coach Brittney Whitehead.

“The win was huge, we talked about that coming in that this was going to set the tone,” Whitehead said Friday night. “They needed this win to keep them rolling through the rest of district get them closer to securing a spot in the playoffs.”

The Lady Tigers’ bats came to life with a five-run third inning that took the lead for good. Antreece Coleman drew a walk and scored on the error that Taylor Cash reached on before Bailey Koy lifted a double, Kayla Camacho roped a single and Brooke Kram drew a walk. Avery Oliver then cleared the bases with a double to the opposite field with the hosts’ fourth hit of the game.

“If they make mistakes, our job is to put the ball in play so I was proud of them executing bunts when I called for it,” Whitehead said.

Although Navasota got on the board the following half-inning, Coleman got it right back with one swing of the bat that lifted the ball over the centerfield wall for a solo home run.

Kram walked and later scored the following inning and although not everyone got in on the hit parade, the offensive effort from every spot in the lineup was enough to get the job done.

“It tells me that everybody has the ability to put the ball in play. I’ve talked with the seniors and some of them are a little upset with how they’ve performed at the plate but I told them it’s not always on you, you don’t have to always take all of the pressure that’s why there’s 14 of us on this team,” Whitehead said. “Colette (Kelley) had a couple of big hits, she’s a freshman doing big things for us. Another freshman Antreece had that big home run and she’s been hitting the ball hard at practice, she’s earned a spot in the lineup and she proved it in this game.”

Camacho also made her return to the pitcher’s circle after missing time due to injury and struck out 12 Navasota batters and allowed only three walks and two hits for five total base runners in possibly her last start on her home field.

“Kayla’s a tough kid, her (lower leg’s) bothering her a little bit, she’s not at 100% but she’s still going to give it her best every time she steps on the field,” Whitehead said.

Her effort helped her four senior classmates end their careers on a high note with a five-run victory on senior night.

“I think they were all hoping for it, Avery had a big day at the plate, she took that ball opposite field down the line and got a double out of it and then Brooke kept telling me she’s tired of walking but walks get you on base so those are good at-bats and we’ll take walks as well,” Whitehead said. “We had a player that was out, Melanie (Nieto, third baseman) wasn’t here so Colette and Justice (Jett) moved over (from shortstop and second base to third base and shortstop) and they did a great job holding down the left side of the infield.”

With only three games remaining – all away games – and a 5-2 record, Whitehead looked forward to the end of the road finalizing what they need to do to perform well in the postseason.

“We’re going to face El Campo which is a tough team and that’s good for us because we need to face another tough team before entering playoffs. Facing El Campo again, we don’t count ourselves out, we don’t think we can’t compete,” Whitehead said. “(Then we’re) going to go down (to Brookshire) and take care of business and then Bellville, I know they’re going to show up for Bellville. Those girls would play Bellville every game if they could.”