TEMPLE, TX — It was a flair for the dramatic at Tem-Cat Field on Tuesday evening. In a preseason scrimmage that felt more like a playoff showdown, the Temple Tem-Cats secured a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Belton Tigers, capped by a towering solo home run from Brenna Thomas in the bottom of the seventh.

The game was a back-and-forth defensive struggle punctuated by timely hitting, ending with both squads locked at five hits and three errors apiece. Ultimately, it was Thomas who ensured the home crowd went home happy, sending a 5-5 tie over the right-field fence to end the contest.

A Seesaw Battle

Belton struck first in the opening frame when Andalyn Logan drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Temple responded in the second inning, utilizing small ball as Maddie Garza executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to knot the game at 1-1.

The Tem-Cats briefly took the lead in the third following a Belton error, but the Tigers clawed back in the fourth. Another sacrifice bunt, this time from Belton’s Jonna Hollingsworth, leveled the score at 2-2.

Breaking It Open

Temple appeared to take control in the bottom of the fifth. Fueled by RBI singles from Madyson Combs and Kyleigh Juarez, the Tem-Cats surged ahead to a 5-2 lead. Juarez was a force at the plate all evening, finishing 1-for-2 with a team-high two RBIs.

However, the Tigers refused to go quietly. In the top of the seventh, Iris Molina pulled a single down the right-field line, driving in the tying run to make it 5-5 and setting the stage for Thomas’ final-frame heroics.

Dominance in the Circle

Brenna Thomas wasn't just the hero with the bat; she was the backbone of the Temple defense. Thomas pitched a complete seven-inning game, racking up seven strikeouts and allowing only two earned runs on five hits.

Temple Offensive Leaders:

Brenna Thomas: 2-4, HR, RBI, 2 Runs
London Armour: 2-4, Double, Run
Kyleigh Juarez: 1-2, 2 RBI
Saniya Maxwell: 1-4, Double, Run

Belton Offensive Leaders:

Lauren Vazquez: 2-3
Iris Molina: 1 RBI
Andalyn Logan: 1 RBI

Looking Ahead

The Tem-Cats will look to carry this momentum on the road as they continue their scrimmage schedule. Temple travels to Leander High School this Saturday for a double-header, facing Vandegrift at 12:00 PM followed by Leander at 4:00 PM.