Quartz Hill Finds Means

The Golden League softball title has returned to a familiar place, thanks to a key hit by an unfamiliar face.

Nicole Means, a freshman right fielder known more for her strong arm than her bat, delivered a run-scoring single in the ninth inning Tuesday to give host Quartz Hill High a 2-1 victory over defending champion Highland and clinch a tie for the Rebels’ ninth league championship since 1991.

With one game left, Quartz Hill (14-9, 8-1 in league play) has a one-game lead over Highland (14-12, 7-2) and will advance to the playoffs as the league’s No. 1 team because it swept the Bulldogs in the season series.

“It’s good to get it back,” co-Coach Coy Ray said of the title. “We didn’t want to lose it two times in a row.”

Jennifer Curtier had three hits for the Rebels, including a leadoff single in the ninth. She yielded to pinch-runner Eric Ricker, who advanced to third on a sacrifice and an error before scoring on Means’ hit.

Cassie Corless, who had a run-scoring single in the third, and Nycole Brand each added two hits for Quartz Hill, which had nine against Highland’s Nichole Rawson (10-9).

Pitcher Kellie Cox of Quartz Hill, the region’s leading large schools hitter with a .632 average, was hitless in four at bats. Cox (11-2) struck out nine while throwing a six-hitter.