Thiebaud powers Midland High to outright District 2-6A title
Ryleigh Thiebaud and the No. 4-ranked Midland High softball team seemed to be on a mission to capture the outright District 2-6A title on Wednesday at Martin Field.
Thiebaud blasted two home runs and had five RBI to propel the Lady Bulldogs to a 10-1 win over Wolfforth Frenship in a District 2-6A game that was resumed after being suspended on Tuesday due to thunderstorms.
The Lady Bulldogs (30-3, 9-0) claimed the outright District 2-6A title and captured the district's No. 1 seed in the Class 6A Division II playoffs.
MHS achieved the feat against the Lady Tigers (13-14, 6-3), who still had a shot to force a two-way tie for first and had won district titles in each year from 2022-25.
The Lady Bulldogs scored three runs in the first inning and led 10-0 after a seven-run third.
"Our mindsets were to really jump on them at the start and get it going," Thiebaud said. "We wished to keep going. We stopped a little bit, but we still put up a win, I'm very proud of that."
MHS starter Malyah Carrillo hurled a three-hitter on a day when the Lady Bulldogs seniors were recognized. Carrillo struck out six, walked none and allowed one run (unearned) over seven innings.
Thiebaud went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk, while hitting two homers at the cavernous Martin Field.
"I'm just trying to attack my pitches early in the count, which helped me hit it," Thiebaud said of her hitting approach.
Added MHS head coach Shawnda Vines: "She really was able to open it up for us and give us a little bit of that momentum."
Lady Bulldogs freshman Gabby Gomez was 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored; Jordyn Arelanno went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored; Mireya Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a run scored; Emberlee Ybarra went 2-for-3 with a run scored; and Marley Porter was 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI, a run scored, a steal and a walk.
"I thought they did a good job bouncing back after being delayed last night and not getting to play and the uncertainty all night long," Vines said. "I thought they did a really good job. I think they came out and we hit the ball from the beginning and put some pressure on them. I was really proud of how they reacted to having to endure the delay."
MHS collected its seventh district title in program history after winning the league championship in 2002, 2009, 2011-12, 2017 and 2021.
"It is hard to win this district title," Vines said. "We're really proud of the kids. We feel like the hard work they've put in all summer, and all offseason is paying off. We feel like they are playing well and it's fun to watch them."
Added Thiebaud: "I'm really proud of our team. I'm so grateful to have these girls and play with them. Especially these seniors, I'm sad to see them leave, but I'm really proud of this team. I hope we go far."
The Lady Bulldogs visit Odessa High in their District 2-6A finale at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
MIDLAND HIGH 10, FRENSHIP 1
Frenship 000 010 0 - 1 3 0
Midland 307 000 x - 10 13 1
Makayla Salazar, Aubrey Hernandez (3), Melody Martinez (5) and Brooklyn Esqueda. Malyah Carrillo and Ryleigh Thiebaud. W - Carrillo. L - Salazar. 2B - MHS: Jordyn Arellano 2, Marley Porter. HR - MHS: Thiebaud.
District 2-6A Softball Standings
District Overall
W L W L T
xy-Midland 9 0 30 3 0
y-Frenship 6 3 13 14 0
y-Odessa 5 4 16 15 0
y-Permian 4 5 18 10 1
Legacy 2 7 16 17 0
SA Central 1 8 10 16 0
y-clinched playoff spot
x-clinched district title
Tuesday's score
Odessa High 13, San Angelo Central 3
Wednesday's scores
Midland High 10, Wolfforth Frenship 1; Legacy 10, Odessa Permian 9
Friday's games
Wolfforth Frenship at Legacy; Midland High at Odessa High; San Angelo Central at Odessa Permian
END OF REGULAR SEASON
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