CANYON LAKE, TX – The Temple Tem-Cat softball team opened their run in the Comal "Wurst" Tournament at Canyon Lake High School this Thursday. While the Tem-Cats showed flashes of late-game heroics and steady individual performances, they finished the opening day with an 0-2 record after falling to Medina Valley and S.A. Steele.

Game 1: Medina Valley 5, Temple 4

In the tournament opener, Temple nearly pulled off a massive comeback, falling just one run short of the Medina Valley Panthers.

The Panthers struck first with an RBI double in the third, but Temple answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame. Madyson Combs laced a clutch single down the left-field line to knot the game at 1-1. However, Medina Valley regained the momentum in the fourth, crossing the plate three times to take a 4-1 lead.

Temple didn't go quietly. Down four runs heading into the fifth, the Tem-Cats rallied with a pair of RBI singles to cut the deficit to 5-4. Unfortunately, the clock ran out on the comeback bid.

Key Performers:

Ava Machuca: Led the offense, going 2-for-3.
Brenna Thomas: Pitched a complete 5.0 innings, allowing three earned runs while adding an RBI at the plate.
Madyson Combs: 1-for-3 with a crucial RBI single.

Game 2: S.A. Steele 10, Temple 1

The nightcap proved difficult for the Tem-Cats as the S.A. Steele Knights rode a massive first inning to a 10-1 victory.

Steele jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on a combination of walks, a sacrifice fly, and a costly error. The Knights added two more in the second courtesy of a two-run home run by Jillian Gonzales.

Temple’s lone run came via the bat of Chiyna Granderson, who finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. Despite the scoreboard, the Tem-Cats continued to fight, tallying hits against a tough Steele pitching staff that held them scoreless through the first four innings.

Key Performers:

Brenna Thomas: Remained hot at the plate, going 2-for-3.
Chiyna Granderson: 1-for-3 with the team's only RBI.
London Armour: Hurled 5.0 innings, showing grit by pitching through defensive miscues (only two of her eight runs allowed were earned).

Day 1 Statistical Leaders

Brenna Thomas: Finished the day with 3 total hits and an RBI. She was a consistent force at the plate, going 2-for-3 in the nightcap against Steele.
Ava Machuca: Led the hit parade in Game 1, going 2-for-3 to keep the pressure on Medina Valley.
Chiyna Granderson: Went 1-for-3 against Steele and drove in the only run of the game for the Tem-Cats.
Madyson Combs: Delivered a clutch RBI single down the left-field line in the first game to briefly tie the score.
London Armour & Brenna Thomas: Both pitchers showed endurance in the circle, each tossing 5.0 innings of work on the opening day.

The Temple Tem-Cats will look to turn things around quickly as they continue tournament play tomorrow. They face a challenging double-header on Friday to wrap up their pool play schedule.