Katy took a one game lead over Cy-Fair in the team’s regional quarterfinal series on Friday, beating the Bobcats 2-1 behind a strong pitching performance and some clutch hitting.

It was a pitcher’s duel and it took five innings for either to get on the board. Cy-Fair took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, getting a runner on with a hit by pitch before Jordan Schoenvogel drove in the run with Cy-Fair’s only hit of the game, hitting a double to give the Bobcats the lead.

Katy answered right back in the top of the sixth, Sutton Hull reached on an error and Connor Udland hit a double to put both himself and Hull in scoring position. Cy-Fair intentionally walked AJ Atkinson to load the bases and Cade Nelson tied it on a sacrifice fly before Cy-Fair got called for a balk, giving Katy the lead for good. The Tigers only allowed one base runner in the final two innings as they secured the win and improved to 25-10.

Nelson had a big day, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing just the one hit and one run while striking out five and walking two. Arvey Huerta closed out the game with 1.2 innings of work striking out two. Nelson had one hit and one RBI on offense, while Udland had two hits, both doubles, Bryce Bowman hit a double and AJ Atkinson had a base hit.

Game 2 will be played noon Saturday at Langham Creek, with game 3 to follow if needed.