The joy of two powerful homers by Mia Gagliardi and Hunter Quentel and a satisfying home win over Atascocita Friday night only lasted through the weekend.
Kingwood lost a district game for the first time in two years Tuesday night as C.E. King stunned the state-ranked Mustangs 6-2 in District 23-6A.
Kingwood (14-2-1, 4-1) had previously won 23 straight district games dating back to a loss to Atascocita in March of 2023.
King (10-8, 3-2) also beat the Mustangs that season and Tuesday was just the second time in 13 tries winning.
Things went sideways early for Kingwood as the Panthers scored three times in the bottom of the first and twice more in the second to build a 5-0 lead.
Kingwood never recovered from the initial run by King as it scored once in the fourth and once in the sixth.
Leilani Garcia went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot with a triple. Addyson Sheppard was 2-for-3. Both scored runs. Gagliardi had an RBI, as did Samantha Trzecki.
As Kingwood made five errors, Kendall Yates lasted just an out as she allowed a hit and three unearned runs. Lyndsie Gilman went 1⅓ innings with two unearned runs. She struck out two. Quentel went the rest of the way with one earned run on one hit. She struck out five and walked two.
Kingwood has another crucial game Friday night at home against Summer Creek. The Mustangs play King again April 11 at home.
Kingwood senior Addyson Sheppard is seen in last week’s game against Atascocita (Noah Mabry/SportCast Media)
