Ector -- The Ector Lady Eagles came into Friday needing a win over the Sam Rayburn Lady Rebels in order to finish district tied with Dodd City.  But the Lady Rebels desperately needed a win just to keep their season alive. 

When the dust cleared, a gritty performance by Sam Rayburn had given them a 2-0 victory over Ector and now the Lady Rebels will take on Bland on Monday at 5:00 p.m. in Leonard in a play-in to see if it will be Sam Rayburn or Bland that earns the third playoff spot out of District 12-A.

Against Ector, Sam Rayburn struck first when Kacie Rice started the game with a single, methodically worked her way around the bases and then slid in under a throw at home plate to give the Lady Rebels a 1-0 lead.

Sam Rayburn had Carly Sadler on the mound and Ector countered with Audra Rhudy.  Both pitchers refused to yield a run over the next six innings.  Ector mounted a challenge and loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth stanza, but Sadler battled back and ended the threat with a pivotal pair of strikeouts.

The Lady Rebels opened the top of the seventh with a single to left field by Lindsey Arthur and then Arthur stole second to put a runner in scoring position.  Kandice Kissinger made it count with an RBI double that gave Sam Rayburn a 2-0 advantage.

The stingy Lady Rebels defense took it from there and three outs later Sam Rayburn had their biggest win of the year.

Dodd City is the district champion with an 11-3 mark.  Ector will be the second seed out of District 12-A with a 10-4 record.

Sam Rayburn and Bland both finish district at 9-5.  The play-in between Sam Rayburn and Bland will be Monday at 5:00 p.m. in Leonard.