BUDA, TX — The Temple Tem-Cats traveled to Hays High School on Thursday to kick off the Heart of Hays County Tournament. Despite a high-powered offensive display where they out-hit their opponents in both contests, the Tem-Cats moved to 7-7 on the season after dropping two closely contested games to Austin Bowie and Hays High.

Game 1: Austin Bowie 3, Temple 1

The Pitcher’s Duel

In the tournament opener, Temple found themselves on the wrong side of a classic defensive struggle. While the Tem-Cats’ bats out-produced the Lady Dawgs six hits to four, Austin Bowie made their opportunities count, aided by an error-free defensive performance.

Bowie struck early in the first inning on a Lillie Gideon RBI single and added an insurance run in the third. Temple’s Madyson Combs drove in the lone run for the Tem-Cats, finishing the game 1-for-3. London Armour provided the spark at the top of the lineup, recording two of the team's six hits.

Top Performers:

London Armour: 2-for-3 at the plate.
Brenna Thomas: Strong in the circle, striking out seven batters and allowing only one earned run over four innings.

Madyson Combs: 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Game 2: Hays 8, Temple 7

The Great Comeback Falls Inches Short

The second game of the day was a rollercoaster of momentum. Temple jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first after Madyson Combs drew a bases-loaded walk and Brenna Thomas scorched an RBI single down the left-field line.

However, the lead was short-lived as the Hays Lady Hawks exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a two-run home run from Addie Sierra. Trailing 8-2, the Tem-Cats refused to fold and began a systematic climb back into the game:

2nd Inning: Temple added a single run to cut into the lead.

3rd Inning: A massive three-run outburst brought the Tem-Cats within striking distance, highlighted by a Brenna Thomas RBI double and a Kyleigh Juarez RBI single to center.

4th Inning: Temple added another run to narrow the gap to 8-7 behind a London Armour RBI single.

The comeback was fueled by extra-base hits from the heart of the order. Madyson Combs went 1-for-2 with a double and two runs scored, while London Armour and Kyleigh Juarez each turned in 2-for-3 performances with a double and an RBI. Despite out-hitting the Lady Hawks nine to seven, the late surge fell just one run short.

Top Performers:

Brenna Thomas: 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs and a double.
London Armour: 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, and run scored.
Kyleigh Juarez: 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, and run scored.
Madyson Combs: 1-for-2 with a double and 2 runs scored.
Ava Machuca: 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored.

Up Next

The Tem-Cats will look to bounce back and move back above .500 as tournament play continues tomorrow.

Friday Schedule:
9:00 AM: vs. Austin High
1:00 PM: vs. Johnson High School