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CORPUS CHRISTI — Through four innings, the Weslaco High Panthers had zeros across the scoreboard, struggling to get a hit or run. During the fifth, everything changed.
After a pair of walks by Bowie pitcher Emma Solis, Weslaco High sophomore Elizabeth Craig followed with a shot deep into center field for an RBI double.
Craig’s hit brought the Panthers’ bats to life, with Weslaco High junior Lexie Escamilla following her with a two-run go-ahead homer and the Panthers erased a three-run deficit to down the Bulldogs 6-3 during Game 1 of a best-of-3 Region IV-6A semifinal series Friday at Cabaniss Softball Field.
“Right when it came off my bat, I felt it,” Escamilla said. “Honestly, I had no idea where the pitch was. I just told myself I wasn’t striking out. I was going to swing wherever it was at, and I just took it.
“It feels so good to come out and help my team when we were down and be able to get them some runs when we needed to get this win. But we’re going to forget about it and play like new tomorrow again.”
The victory gives Weslaco High takes a 1-0 series lead over the Bulldogs, with Game 2 slated for 2 p.m. today at Cabaniss Softball Field. Game 3, if necessary, is set to follow 30 minutes after.
The Panthers finished the game with five hits, all coming during the final three innings. Weslaco High senior Jules Garcia added a pair of insurance runs during the top of the seventh, firing a laser into left field for a two-run homer.
“At the beginning, we were following for rise balls and changeups,” Weslaco High head coach Mario Rodriguez said. “Then we were letting good pitches go. But we started to give ourselves a chance and we were able to put some hits together and get the win.”
Craig finished as the Panthers’ top hitter, going 2-of-3 with two RBIs. Garcia finished 1-of-4 with two RBIs, while Escamilla and Alexis Soliz each added a hit.
The Bulldogs got on the board during the bottom of the third, with freshman Any German connecting for a three-run home run and a 3-0 lead.
Reyes got the last laugh, however, striking out German during the bottom of the seventh to seal the Panthers’ victory.
The Panthers’ senior pitcher finished with 12 strikeouts in seven innings, allowing just five hits.
“I just saw us being pickier and seeing pitches through and not giving up,” Reyes said. “In practice we talked about it, we couldn’t let up. They’re a good team. This is the Sweet 16. Everybody you play, they’re going to be good. At this point, if you fall behind, you have enough time to get back up. It was only three runs. We picked each other up and stayed with it and it worked.”
