BUDA, Texas — The Temple Tem-Cats experienced a day of mixed results during Day 2 of the Heart of Hays County Tournament on Friday. In a morning defensive struggle, Temple battled the Austin High Maroons to a 2-2 draw before falling to the Johnson High Jaguars 9-4 in the afternoon.

Following the day's action, Temple moves to 7-9 on the season as they prepare for the tournament's final stretch.

Game 1: Temple 2, Austin High 2

The Tem-Cats struck first in the opening frame when Madyson Combs laced a double into the gap, driving in a run to give Temple an early 1-0 lead. They doubled that advantage in the second inning after Kyleigh Juarez hit into a productive groundout, bringing a runner home to make it 2-0.

However, the Austin High Lady Maroons found life in the bottom of the third. Capitalizing on a Temple error and an RBI single from Tallulah Lundin, Austin High managed to pull even.

Brenna Thomas was stout in the circle for Temple, throwing five innings and allowing only two unearned runs on two hits. She displayed dominant command, striking out six while walking four. Her counterpart, Jazmine Benavides, matched the effort for the Maroons, surrendering five hits and two unearned runs over five innings.

Offensive Highlights:

Madyson Combs: 2-for-2, 2B, RBI, BB
Saniya Maxwell: 1-for-2, Run
Sha'kyhria Freeman: 1-for-3
Glory Foreman: 1-for-2

Game 2: Johnson 9, Temple 4

The afternoon matchup saw the Johnson Varsity Jaguars jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning behind a pair of sacrifice flies. Temple responded aggressively in the top of the second, exploding for four runs to take a 4-2 lead. The rally was fueled by an RBI single from Glory Foreman, an RBI double by Chiyna Granderson, and a critical Johnson error that allowed two more runs to cross the plate.

The lead was short-lived, however. Johnson recaptured the momentum in the bottom of the second, using a two-run single and a triple to surge ahead for good.

London Armour started for the Tem-Cats, striking out two over four innings of work. At the plate, Saniya Maxwell and Chiyna Granderson led the way with two hits apiece, including three combined doubles between them.

Offensive Highlights:

Saniya Maxwell: 2-for-2, 2 2B, Run
Chiyna Granderson: 2-for-2, 2B, RBI, Run
Glory Foreman: 1-for-3, RBI
Brenna Thomas: 1-for-3, Run

Looking Ahead

The Tem-Cats will look to close out the tournament on a high note tomorrow morning.

Next Game: Saturday, February 28
Opponent: Lehman High Lobos
Location: Lehman High School
First Pitch: 9:00 am