SUGAR LAND — In a game dominated by two freshman pitchers, the outcome hinged on whether Fort Bend Austin or Elkins could take advantage of a scoring opportunity.

Elkins missed out on several scoring chances, while Austin responded by producing the only run of the game to pin a 1-0 defeat on the Knights on Friday night at Lady Bulldog Softball Field.

The win left Austin (6-2) just one game behind league leader Elkins (7-1) at the midpoint of the District 23-5A schedule.

"This was a huge win that showed us what we're capable of, that we can play with anybody," Austin coach Terry Reyna said. "We knew if we played a solid game, it would be anyone's game."

The Bulldogs got the lone run off Elkins freshman lefthander Nicole Gremillion (6-6) in the bottom of the sixth. Lauren Preston launched a one-out double off the center field wall and scored the winning run one out later when Sarah Smaltz's towering fly ball to left had its trajectory changed by the swirling wind and fell behind Knights left fielder Kara Waukau for a double.

Prior to the sixth, Gremillion was virtually untouchable. She allowed five hits and struck out 11 in a losing effort. The Elkins offense did not convert on several scoring chances, twice leaving runners in scoring position and having a third opening erased by a double play.

"We didn't hit the ball as well as we should have," Elkins coach James McClanahan said. "Gremillion pitched a great game. We had some mental lapses and didn't make a couple of plays behind her."

Austin freshman hurler Morgan Hawkins got into trouble several times, but pitched her way out of each jam. Hawkins (6-4) scattered five hits and fanned three in a complete-game effort.

"Morgan maintained composure in tough situations, which is remarkable for a freshman," Reyna said. "She worked her way out of several jams."

Elkins squandered a golden scoring opportunity in the fourth inning. Amber Garza reached base on an error and was sacrificed to second. An attempted delayed double steal backfired when Austin catcher Smaltz fired to senior shortstop Jenna Emery at second to get Harris. Garza was then gunned down at the plate by Emery to complete the double play and end the inning.