The Lady Cougars wrapped up their softball season Friday afternoon at Bay, as the girls fell to the Buffalo Island Central Lady Mustangs in the first round of the 2A-3 District Tournament, 7-3.

Rector came up against a strong hurler, as BIC's Karla Marroquin was stellar on the mound, allowing one hit through while striking out 18 and walking one in seven innings.

Two of the Lady Cougars' runs came off the bat of sophomore Brittany Sharp, as Rector was able to take advantage of a pair of free bases from a walk and an error in the third inning.

Elizabeth Loveless was given the loss for Rector, throwing all seven innings.

Despite the tough loss, Rector skipper Matt Rabjohn remains proud of his team.

"I thought we did as good a job as we could with what they gave us. When you're up against a pitcher like that, it's hard to score runs. No one likes to lose, but I thought this group of girls turned a corner there late in the season and made some positive strides. They can all hold their heads up high."

Doubleheader with Bay

The Lady Cougars split a doubleheader with guest Bay last Wednesday in Rector. The home team fell 8-2 in the first game, but fought back to claim the nightcap, 7-6.

The visitors scored all eight of their runs in the second inning, as timely hitting combined with unfortunate fielding miscues to open the floodgates in Bay's favor.

"They scored a few on us and I think it rattled us," Rabjohn said. "I think it shook our composure a bit and they were able to take advantage of that and get a big lead. Once we got that far behind, we were in a deep hole and couldn't climb back out."

The Lady Cougars managed four hits in the first game. Stephanie DeMent notched a pair of singles and had an RBI. Sharp and Hillary Calhoun each had a hit in the loss.

The Lady Cougars bounced back for a 7-6 win in the second half of the doubleheader.

DeMent provided a big spark in what would be the deciding inning, driving in two runs on a double to left-center in the bottom of the fourth. Rector notched five runs in the inning to move ahead 7-4.

Bay added a run in both the fifth and sixth innings, but the Lady Cougars held on for the win.

Loveless took the win, working all seven innings. She allowed four earned runs on nine hits.

Sharp, Amber Haynes, Calhoun and Sarah Fannin all had a hit in the win.