GAME STORY: Walks, early grand slam fuel Monterey past Wylie in Game 1

HERMLEIGH — A tight strike zone and a heavy, outward-blowing wind all but ensured a high-scoring game in the opener of the Wylie softball team’s Region I-5A quarterfinals series against Lubbock Monterey on Friday. In the end, the Lady Plainsmen took better advantage of both in a 10-5 win at the Hermleigh softball field.

Monterey was outhit by Wylie 7-6 and committed five errors to the Lady Bulldogs’ three. But the Lady Plainsmen drew twice as many walks (6) and used a pair of early home runs to build a 5-1 lead that they would stretch to 9-1 before WHS tried to fight its way back into the game late.

Wylie continued to battle throughout, pulling within four (9-5) with a four-run fourth inning. But the Lady Bulldogs (21-13) saw a number of hard-hit balls find gloves from that point forward, allowing Monterey to hold on for the win and take a 1-0 series lead.