The West Sabine Lady Tigers traveled to Lufkin May 12 and 13 to do battle with the Groveton Lady Indians in the regional quarterfinals. Game one was indeed a nail biting pitchers duel between Groveton’s Meghan Luce and West Sabine’s Cora Sepulvado. Each hurler stymied the other’s offense, matching each other pitch for pitch.

The Lady Tigers finally broke through in the top of the fifth when Briana Kiefer’s RBI single broke the scoreless tie. That lasted until the bottom of the sixth when Luce finally barreled one up and drove it out to center for a three run HR to give Groveton a 3-1 lead, and Martin came into save the day for the Lady Indians striking out the last two Lady Tigers with runners on second and third to win game one 3-1.

Game two on May 13 saw the Lady Indians jump out to a 3-0 lead in the first via a wild pitch and two bases loaded walks. After some early wildness, Emma Frick settled down and shut down Groveton until the fifth, when they tagged her for two more runs on three hits. West Sabine had runners on second and third in the bottom half of the fifth, only to see Martin wriggle out of the jam by fanning Cora Sepulvado. The ladies just didn’t catch any breaks on this night, and they saw their season come to an all too abrupt end 5-0.

I remember when this dream state began back in 2018 when the ladies were underdogs and scrapped their way to a third round exit versus Grapeland. Who in Tigerland can forget the magical 2019 season when they finally made state in dramatic fashion over Lovelady 2-1 courtesy of a walkoff bomb from Haley Primrose? In 2020 had it not been for Covid they would’ve had a state trophy for the case at the high school, no doubt in my mind. Of course there was the magical deja vu walkoff victory over Lovelady last year when Selina Sepulvado doubled in Faith Hardy in extra innings. This year’s group had to fight for everything it ever got, getting three rounds deep in the playoffs once again.

The last four years has indeed been a dream, but the trouble with dreams is you eventually have to wake up. I would personally like to thank both the team and all the coaches for letting this bedraggled, grizzled reporter and his sister tag along for the ride. Not only were memories made, you all helped bring us closer together, something I’ll be eternally grateful for. It has been an honor and a privilege, and thank you just doesn’t seem strong enough a statement.

What a ride it was....