A four-run third inning propelled Sanger to a 7-6 victory over Prosper Richland in Game 1 of the 4A Division 1 Region 2 final, though the Indians needed a game-saving defensive play to hold off a late Raiders rally.
Trailing 1-0 in the third, Sanger's Lily Wilson launched a two-run home run over the wall to highlight a four-run frame that put the Indians ahead 4-1. Wilson celebrated by moonwalking over home plate. The Indians extended their lead to 7-1 in the fourth when Paige Childs drove a ball deep to center that cleared the outfielder's head and rolled to the wall, plating two runs in a three-run inning.
Richland mounted a comeback in the seventh inning. Down 7-3, Sam Riley singled past the shortstop to bring home two runs and cut the deficit to 7-5. With two outs and the tying run on third, Berklee Shannon lined a ball into the gap, but Sanger center fielder Carley Kates tracked it down for the game-saving catch to preserve the one-run victory.
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