Collins aims at Klein Oak

Klein Collins opened the 13-5A softball schedule with an 11-7 home win against Klein Oak on March 1, and now the Lady Tigers go for the sweep as the second round kicks off on April Fools' Day.

In the first meeting just over three weeks ago, Klein Oak grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Klein Collins answered with 10 runs over the next three frames including six in the fourth.

Klein Collins was led by winning pitcher Taylor Grissom, Laura Lopez' three hits and a home rum from December Rivers.

ABOUT THE GAME

• Matchup: Klein Collins at Klein Oak

• When: 7 p.m. Friday, April 1

• Where: Klein Oak High School

• What's at stake: A district victory against another top team in 13-5A

• Klein Collins players to watch: P Taylor Grissom, 2B-P Taylor Atkinson, SS Marlee Maples, 1B Elissa Heaton, 3B Angelica Gonzales, C-DH December Rivers, OF Laura Lopez, OF-IN Paeton Tanley, OF Kelsey Villasenor, C-IN Jessica Borrego

• Klein Oak players to watch: P Mattison Maisel, OF Cassen Salamone, C Kali Gardner, SS Delaney Guy, OF Cassie Ruyle, OF-IN Crystal Lizcano, P Hannah Parris, P Nicole Snow

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Klein Collins: The Lady Tigers' 3-1 beginning in 13-5A included wins over Klein Oak, Klein 5-1 and Westfield 23-0, and an 11-8 loss to Tomball ... Klein Collins has major offensive threats throughout a lineup that features Maples (.480 batting average), Heaton (.440), Gonzales (.438), Rivers (.368) and Lopez (.341) ... The Lady Tigers missed the playoffs last year coming in behind 13-5A postseason qualifiers Tomball, Klein, Spring and Klein Oak ... Prior to starting the second half of district at Klein Oak, Klein Collins plays at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at Klein Forest.

• Klein Oak: After dropping the league opener at Klein Collins, Klein Oak bounced back to beat Westfield 15-0, Spring 8-3 and Klein Forest 16-0, and the Lady Panthers trailed Spring before coming back for the victory ... Klein Oak is under the direction of 16th-year coach Javier Vela ... The Lady Panthers advanced to the playoffs last season via a district playoff for fourth place ... Top hitters are Salamone (.522), Guy (.478), Gardner (.462) and Ruyle (.372) ... Before facing Klein Collins for the second time, the Lady Panthers are in action at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at Dekaney.