The George West Lady ‘Horns took 10 innings to win a trip to the state softball tournament as they dealt the Hallettsville Lady Brahmas a 5-1 loss at Texas State University in San Marcos on Thursday evening in the Region IV 2A finals.

The stadium was full and rocking with the GW fans executing the wave to get the fans excited in the early innings. The grandstands were about two-thirds in favor of the Lady Horns. It was a sea of blue that stayed with the girls all night long.

Hallettsville scored in the first as the first batter, Timishia North, blooped a single behind third base.

The throw to second went wide and clear to the fence along the first base side of the field. North sped around the bases and was at third before right fielder Kayla Wallek could get to the ball.

Hallettsville coach Mike Mikeska waved North on and she scored as the throw was a little late and off target.

The Lady ‘Horns did not answer until the top of the sixth. A sacrifice fly to left by Ham brought in the tying run in the top of the sixth. And the game went into extra innings at 1-1.

The George West girls pounced on the Lady Brahmas for four big runs in the top of the 10th to put the game away. Kate Jimerson and Kayla Wallek sparked the late rally which also featured run-scoring doubles from Maggie Ham and Kayla Krietsch.

GW pitcher Ham went the full 10 innings, getting out of trouble time and time again. Ham struck out 17 Hallettsville batters in her 10 innings of work.

The two-time all-state selection lived up to her billing and will now get a chance to showcase her talents along with a gritty and “never quit” teammates at state.

“She has no fear. She just competes,” said softball coach Chuck Pawelek to the assembled press after the game.

“The Lady Horns are a great demonstration of poise under pressure. They maintained their composure, didn’t quit and they came through,” said Athletic Director Tim Holt.

“It’s a great compliment to their character. I am really proud of them.”

The win puts the Lady ‘Horns in the state tournament for the first time in their softball history.

The state tourney will be played June 3-5 in Austin at the McCombs softball complex. The GW girls will face the Early Lady ‘Horns from District 8-2A at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Early carries a 30-3 record and George West will enter the contest at 31-6.

Admission to a tournament session (includes two games) is $10.

No presale tickets are available. All sales are at the gate.