For first time since 2015, SB eyes Final Four

By PETE BANDA
Special to the NEWS

All year long, the San Benito Lady ’Hounds have been one of the top ranked softball teams in the state. Kicking off the season with 10 straight wins and multiple tournament championships, San Benito wasted little time developing a reputation among top talent evaluators in Texas and earned a top-10 ranking with various media outlets before commencing district play.

Now, as the school year comes to an end, the Lady ’Hounds are one of the last eight teams left in the 6A playoffs after a thrilling 2-1 series victory over the New Braunfels Unicorns. Game 1 of the series was won by the Lady ’Hounds after a seventh inning explosion gave them a 9-7 victory, but the final two games had every fan in attendance on the edge of their seats.

Needing a win to save their season, the Unicorns found themselves in a 2-0 hole after the first two innings of Game 2. New Braunfels looked poised to steal the game after a four-run third inning, but San Benito’s sophomore sensation Amira Rodriguez uncorked a massive three run homer to put San Benito back in front.

Yet another four run inning by the Unicorns gave them an 8-5 lead heading into the fifth inning.

Some heavy hitting by New Braunfels gave them a commanding 11-5 lead, but Rodriguez continued her superb play with a grand slam that pulled San Benito to within two. Unfortunately, New Braunfels was able to hold on to its slim lead to steal Game 2. In a win-or-go-home game just 30 minutes after Game 2, the Lady ’Hounds asserted themselves early on as Rodriguez drilled yet another grand slam to give San Benito a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning. Senior superstar Emily Delgado was able to close the game on the mound as the Lady ’Hounds cruised to an 11-1 victory.

With an incredible 37-5 record, San Benito has earned a number 2 ranking in all of 6A softball by the Texas Girls Coaching Association and are ranked 18 in the entire state by MaxPreps.

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