In a showdown with Conroe, Grand Oaks had the tying run and third and winning run waiting at first with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
A double-play ended it – unfortunately for the Grizzlies – as the Tigers prevailed 2-1 in the District 13-6A contest Tuesday afternoon.
The Grizzlies (13-4, 3-2) have dropped two straight district games after starting out unbeaten. It will be a quick turnaround as they travel to Oak Ridge for another spring break matinee at 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Conroe (12-5, 3-1) have won four straight meetings with Grand Oaks over the past four meetings.
Amir Abukhzam started the seventh with a double, but was later out at the plate on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Julia Veilleux. After a single by Arriana Sanchez with one out made for runners at the corners, Veilleux was the tying run stranded at third on the double-play ball that ended the game.
Grand Oaks got within a run of the Tigers in the bottom of the sixth as University of Houston recruit Kaitlynn Torres hit an RBI double.
A two-run homer by Alisa Sneed in the top of the first, her eighth of the season, was the only runs Conroe needed.
Freshman Victoria Hernandez pitched admirably the rest of the way as she struck out eight with four hits allowed in the complete game. She allowed just a run in last week’s win over College Park.
Against Conroe ace Eva Lantagne, Grand Oaks totaled five hits, one walk and struck out six times.
Larissa Tavares added a double while Jaz Leveston had a pinch-hit single.
Although it didn’t count in the district standings, Conroe defeated Grand Oaks 10-6 on Feb. 28 at the Southeast Texas Invitational.
The game of the series takes place at Conroe on April 8.
Grand Oaks’ Amira Abukhzam makes contact against Conroe on March 11, 2025. (Jose Palomo/SportCast Media)
