Van edges Lindale in battle for 1st place in 15-4A softball

An RBI double in the 7th inning and a game-ending double play helped Van secure a 2-1 victory over Lindale in a key district matchup.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:18am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, geometric shapes and vibrant colors, conceptually representing the high-stakes district softball matchup between two rival teams.The intense battle for first place in District 15-4A softball between Van and Lindale is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, reflecting the game's competitive spirit and strategic plays.Lindale Today

In a battle for first place in District 15-4A softball, the Van Lady Vandals defeated the Lindale Lady Eagles 2-1 on Tuesday night. An RBI double by Maylan Hale in the top of the seventh inning and a 4-6-3 double play to end the game helped Van secure the victory. The win puts Van in sole possession of first place in the district standings.

Why it matters

This game was a crucial matchup between two of the top teams in District 15-4A. The outcome determines the current standings, with Van now in first place and Lindale in second. The regular season finale between Lindale and third-place Canton will also have major implications for the district title race.

The details

The game was scoreless through the first four innings, with Lindale pitcher Kenlee Keith taking a perfect game into the fourth. Van broke through with a run in the fifth on a CharLee Carr RBI single, but Lindale tied it in the sixth on an Ava Wilson double. In the seventh, Maylan Hale's RBI double gave Van a 2-1 lead, and a game-ending double play sealed the victory for the Lady Vandals.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • Lindale and Canton will meet in the regular season finale on April 17, 2026.

The players

Maylan Hale

A player for the Van Lady Vandals who hit the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning.

CharLee Carr

A player for the Van Lady Vandals who had the RBI single to give Van the lead in the fifth inning.

Kenlee Keith

The pitcher for the Lindale Lady Eagles who took a perfect game into the fourth inning.

Ava Wilson

A player for the Lindale Lady Eagles who hit the game-tying RBI double in the sixth inning.

Baleigh Reynolds

The head softball coach for the Van Lady Vandals.

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What they’re saying

“Whenever I went to step in the batter's box, I was like, okay, we have a runner on base and it's really important that I move her however I can. And so I told myself just to hit it hard in a gap somewhere and it was a ball down the middle and I just pushed it through and I was like 'heck yeah' whenever I hit it.”

— Maylan Hale, Van player

“Whenever she got on base, I wasn't too worried. I trust our pitcher and our defense and whenever she hit the ball to CharLee, I was like, 'oh, this is a great opportunity to get a double play.' I saw how, no offense, but how slow she was coming out of the batter's box and I was like, 'oh yeah, we got this girl, double play.'”

— Maylan Hale, Van player

“We've always taught them to never give up, always put your foot on the other team's throat and fight until the end and dig deep together as a team. And they found a way to come together, get timely hits and find ways to score runs and make great plays on the defensive side.”

— Baleigh Reynolds, Van head softball coach

What’s next

Lindale will play at Canton in the regular season finale on April 17, 2026, which will have major implications for the district title race.

The takeaway

This hard-fought battle between two of the top teams in District 15-4A softball showcases the competitive nature of the district race. Van's ability to come through with timely hits and clutch defensive plays proved to be the difference, putting them in sole possession of first place with just a few games remaining in the regular season.