Neches' Jessi Sumpter locks down Hermleigh softball to end repeat bid in 1A semifinals

The Hermleigh softball team's reign as state champion ended Tuesday, thanks in large part to Jessi Sumpter.

The Neches senior notched 13 strikeouts to stymie the Cardinals in a 7-2 win in the Class 1A state semifinal at McCombs Field in Austin. Sumpter allowed three hits and one earned run as the Tigers advanced to their first championship game.

Hermleigh (20-10) took a 1-0 lead in the top first on Summer Smith's single. The Cardinals had trouble mustering much after. Sumpter issued three walks but none after the second inning.

Hermleigh's other run was unearned, scored by Destiney Hopkins after she led the sixth inning with a two-base error. By then Neches (16-2) led 5-2.

The Tigers tied the game in the bottom first on Kacie Trimble's single and scored the go-ahead runs in the second. Trimble tallied a team-high three RBI despite batting 1 for 4. Neches benefited from four Cardinals errors.

Smith allowed three earned runs in a complete game. She gave up six hits and six walks, striking out seven.

The Tigers advanced to the 1A final Wednesday against Jonesboro. The Eagles (22-7) blanked Slocum 10-0 in six innings in the other semifinal.

CLASS 1A STATE SEMIFINAL

Neches 7, Hermleigh 2

Hermleigh 100 001 0 — 2 3 4

Neches 120 202 x — 7 6 1

Summer Smith. Jessi Sumpter. W — Sumpter. L — Smith. 2B — Neches, Sumpter, Madi Gordon. 3B — Hermleigh, Sydney Hancock.

Records: Hermleigh 20-10; Neches 16-2.