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As a team that spent much of this past season within the ranks of the Texas Girls’ Coaches Association’s top 25 list, the Lady Cards have made it clear that they stand amongst the elite softball team in Texas. In the Area Championship round of the postseason, they made it abundantly clear that their name should be near the top of the list as their second-round opponents, the Cotulla Cowgirls, entered the series as the seventh best 3A team according to TGCA. Columbus did everything they could to prove that they deserve a top ten spot just as much as anybody as they went on to pick apart Cotulla on both sides on the way to a dominating series sweep that marked Columbus’ most total wins in one season in program history at 27. After the win, Columbus moved up to no. 8 on the rankings while Cotulla dropped out of the top ten. The Lady Cards start the regional rounds of the postseason with a series against Jourdanton in Marion starting on Friday, May 12 at 5:30 pm.
Game 1, W, 10-2
The Lady Cards had some stiff competition to start the game against the Cowgirls before eventually breaking open a big lead to run away with the game. The offense for Columbus came through with a strong performance as they racked up 11 total hits as a team. The Lady Cards got enough runners into scoring positions at second and third base to be able to do significant damage with their hitting. Mayson Post had one of the most impactful swings of the game after popping a 3-RBI triple that cleared the bases and added to the lead in the middle innings. Post along with her sister Mia, Madyson Carter and Ellie Brown all had two hits apiece to lead Columbus in that category.
Mayson Post got the start on the mound and pitched a solid game with significant contributions from her defense. The Lady Cards gave up just one earned run before Karlee Mathis came in to close things out, sacrificing just one hit in the final two innings.
Game 2, W, 9-0
The defense for Columbus had an even stronger outing as they held a potent offense to a shutout to claim their winningest season in program history. The defense was once again led by the duo of Mayson Post and Karlee Mathis on the mound as they pitched an even stronger combined game this time around. Post allowed just two hits in three innings while Mathis shut the door in the final four innings after allowing three hits to Cotulla. Columbus played a clean game with another solid defensive outing as they held up for all seven innings without allowing a run or an error.
The offensive attack served Columbus well as they had several Lady Cards put up some good numbers throughout the game. Mia Post led all hitters after going 3-for-4 at the plate. Madyson Carter, Molly Garcia and Karlee Mathis had two hits apiece as Columbus flooded the outfield with hits once again. Bailey Gustus picked up two RBIs with her lone hit of the game.
