Lady Hippos fall to Hudson in playoffs

With the bases loaded, Hutto pitcher Shelby Wahrmund walked two consecutive Lufkin Hudson batters in the bottom of the third inning Friday. The next batter hit a fielder’s choice to third base, but a throwing error — the third Lady Hippo error of the inning — allowed three runs to cross the plate, Hudson’s ninth, 10th and 11th of the inning.

After Lufkin Hudson scored their 11th run, and took a 12-3 lead, Wahrmund’s frustration got the best of her. As her team gathered at the pitcher’s mound, Wahrmund threw down her glove and walked into the outfield, trying to relax before she faced the next batter.

Hudson scored three more runs before the Lady Hippo defense finally pulled together and gunned a runner down at second and first to get out of the 14-run inning.

With Wahrmund’s pitching off and the defense shaken up, Hutto’s only chance at a win was an offense that could rebound. While they managed five more runs in the game, Hutto couldn’t comeback and took a 16-8 area round loss in the Class 3A state softball playoffs.

A three-run fourth inning helped ease the Lady Hippos troubles as Kelsi Weseman singled to center to push two runners around and load the bases. Kendall Lucas drew a walk, forcing in Brittney Drolette and Persephanie Williams and Weseman scored on a wild pitch before the inning ended.

The Hutto defense, boosted by a responsive offensive, was able to hold Hudson scoreless in the fourth and the fifth.

Williams and Weseman scored after the Lady Hippos strung together three hits on a one-out rally to cut the lead in half, 15-8.

Hudson scored one more run on two hits and an error in the sixth before Wahrmund retired the final two batters.

Hutto left two on in the seventh, unable to capitalize on their final opportunity.

Hutto, who went undefeated in District 18-3A, will lose five girls from its district championship team, before moving to District 25-4A next season.