SAN JUAN — Weslaco High pitcher Katia Reyes had only allowed one hit going into the bottom of the seventh inning. That quickly changed, with PSJA High’s first two batters of the inning connecting with the bat, including an RBI single by Alyssa Flores for the Bears’ first score.
The Panthers’ senior pitcher took a moment to compose herself following the score, knowing what she needed to do to close out the game.
“I knew I had to get myself together because we still had a lot of game to play,” Reyes said. “I just kept my composure and relaxed myself. I told my defense we were fine. It was just two base hits. I just knew we needed to get the three outs and we’d be good.”
Reyes responded with the consecutive strikeouts to close out the contest, as the Panthers downed the Bears 6-1 during Game 1 of a best-of-3 Class 5A bidistrict series Thursday at the PSJA Softball Field.
Reyes retired 15 of 26 batters faced, finishing the game with 15 strikeouts while allowing just three hits.
“Winning is always big,” Weslaco High head coach Mario Rodriguez said. “It’s not easy. It’s even bigger because it’s on the road. We hadn’t played since last Tuesday. It’s still just one game. We have to readjust ourselves, reboot and come out tomorrow and see what happens.”
The Panthers opened the game with an offensive onslaught, with five of their first six batters recording hits. The offensive outburst led to a quick 4-0 lead for Weslaco High, leading to Bears head coach Eric Madera pulling his starting pitcher, Paris Mederez, after just one inning.
The pitching changed seemed to work for the Bears, with junior Arie Hernandez allowing just three hits over the final six innings.
The hits allowed by Hernandez, however, proved to be devastating, with one coming during the top of the fifth on a solo homerun by Jules Garcia to give the Panthers a 6-0 advantage.
“Our girls came out ready to play,” Rodriguez said. “They put the ball in play, which is always good. PSJA Is a good team. You make the playoffs because you’re a good team. We just came out and took advantage of the situation presented to us. The ball just fell our way today.”
The victory gives the Panthers a 1-0 series advantage with Game 2 set to be played at 7 tonight at Weslaco High. A win by the Bears forces a Game 3 set for 11 a.m. Saturday if needed.
