Mules player Maddie Anes slides into home in the first inning as Alamo Heights High School took on the Boerne Greyhounds Friday night. Photo by Mary Candee

In a dramatic showdown with the district championship at stake, the Alamo Heights Lady Mules softball squad faced perennial rival Boerne at home Friday night in front of nearly 400 fans.   Both teams sported 7-1 records in district play, with the Greyhound’s sole defeat coming from the Mules.

 Matching the fireworks provided by a looming thunderstorm, the Mules captured the District 27-4A crown in a come-from-behind 5-2 win powered by a four-run rally in the fifth inning.  Trailing 2-1 after four frames, the Mules finally solved Greyhounds ace Victoria Beltran, taking a 3-2 lead on a two-run triple by catcher Amber Sotelo, then added two more to lead 5-2 after five. 

Boerne fought back to 5-4 in their next at-bat, but the Mules answered in the bottom half and led 8-4 with one out in the bottom of the sixth when the game was halted by nearby lightning.

 The game was eventually called with only the first five innings officially completed, leaving the final score at 5-2.

 Boerne’s powerful lineup featured pitcher Beltran, with a 25-5 record entering the game, and the four leading home-run sluggers in the area, but Mules sophomore hurler Maddie Anes was up to the task, scattering five hits with three strikeouts. 

The Mules district record improved to 8-1 and 21-7 overall.  They now sit at No. 4 in the San Antonio Express-News area rankings.  The Lady Mules faced last-place Memorial on Tuesday night, too late for press time.  Regional playoffs begin next week with the Mules drawing a bye for the first round.