What began as another sensational season for the San Benito softball team, ended in utter disappointment Saturday as the Lady Greyhounds were ousted from the postseason by a very determined PSJA Memorial squad.
On Saturday afternoon, the Lady Wolverines held off the Lady ’Hounds 3-2 to win the best-of-3 Class 6A bi-district series 2-1.
Despite dropping Game 1 of the series at home on Thursday 11-2, PSJA Memorial rebounded with an 8-6 Game 2 victory at San Benito on Friday to even the series and force Saturday’s must-win contest.
The Lady ’Hounds entered the playoffs after an impressive 27-1 regular season. Their only loss came against Brownsville Veterans and they were ranked No. 16 in the nation by USA Today.
And after Thursday’s easy win, it appeared the Lady ’Hounds – who were state semifinalists in 2015 – were on their way to another deep playoff run.
But their youth finally caught up with them, as was evident after Friday’s loss in which freshman pitcher Sarah Garcia gave up five runs in the second inning. Friday’s loss was the Lady Greyhounds’ first home loss in two seasons.
Regardless, San Benito first-year head coach Kristy Leal remained positive.
“We had a great season,” she said Saturday. “I have phenomenal kids. To be able to win 28 games is a big accomplishment.
“The kids worked hard and gave it all they had. We have nothing to hang our heads about. I have such a young team that this is only the beginning.”
HARLINGEN SOUTH: The Lady Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs after dropping games 2 and 3 of their Class 6A bi-district playoff series against Edinburg High on Saturday.
The Lady Hawks, who won Game 1 on Friday 10-6, simply couldn’t hold serve against the Lady Bobcats.
In Game 2 the Lady Cats rolled to a 6-3 victory and then in Game 3 rallied late to win 10-7 and advance to the area round where they’ll face McAllen Memorial.
SANTA ROSA: After capturing the program’s district title, the Santa Rosa Lady Warriors continued to make after with a 2-0 bi-district series win over Banquete this past week.
Until Thursday, Santa Rosa had never won a softball playoff game, but it wasn’t easy.
They needed a nine innings to pick up a 3-2 victory in game one and narrowly escaped the Lady Bulldogs 1-0 in the series clincher, but head coach Erica Molina says it shows how far her team has come.
“We had strong pitching and efficient defense because our bats were disappointing,” Molina said. “The girls have matured a lot since last year. Even earlier this year, they would hang their heads. Now they believe in themselves and each other — they feel they can come back from anything.”
The Lady Warriors look to keep on rolling as they face Odem in the area round.
“In the beginning we agreed that the goal was to win district and attempt to go three-deep in the playoffs,” Molina said. “We won district, a playoff series and now we are hoping to be the last team in 32-6A standing then we will take it series by series.”
RIO HONDO: Despite a sensational 26-4 regular season, the Lady Bobcats couldn’t find that same magic in the playoffs and were eliminated from the postseason on Saturday by Beeville Jones.
The Lady Cats lost their Class 4A bi-district series 2-1 at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Beeville drew first blood with a 6-3 Game 1 win on Thursday, but Rio Hondo returned the favor early Saturday afternoon with a 6-3 Game 2 win to even the series.
Unfortunately, in Game 3 late Saturday afternoon, the Lady Cats came up short 2-1 to see their season come to an end.
Beeville moves on to the area round and will face the winner between Devine and Pleasanton.
LYFORD: The Lady Bulldogs were ousted from the 2016 state playoffs after an 8-6 Game 2 Class 3A bi-district series loss to Bishop on Saturday afternoon.
Bishop swept the best-of-three series 2-0, winning Game 1 on Thursday 7-0.
The Lady Badgers advance to the area round where they’ll face the winner between George West and Hebbronville.
