Lady Greyhounds take bi-district title

By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS

EDINBURG, TX—Now that the Texas high school softball playoffs are here, the San Benito Lady Greyhounds proved they are focused on whatever comes their way, whether it is a close game or a blowout.

As a result, for the second consecutive year, the Lady ‘Hounds have advanced to the area round of the Class 6A postseason, with Edinburg North’s Lady Cougars once again their victim.

Last season, SBHS won a convincing one-game playoff at home. This year, it was swept after taking the best-of-three series on the road.

The Lady ‘Hounds (23-7-1) now play in a one-game area playoff on Friday against the Buda Johnson Lady Jaguars (21-12).

Johnson advanced by sweeping Laredo Alexander in a bi-district series, 11-1 and 20-7.

The area game is being played at Gregory-Portland High School at 6:30 p.m.

“Our Lady ‘Hounds showed grit and battled through both games in the bi-district round,” SBHS Head Coach Kristy Leal said. “We have one game, and the winner advances. These girls are prepared and ready for a competitive game.”

If there is a measuring stick among these two foes, it is East Central High School. Neither scored against the San Antonio team. SBHS played East Central once in a tournament (lost 9-0), and Johnson lost twice in District 29-6A play (combined score 15-0).

BI-DISTRICT

BHS entered the playoffs competing in the Class 6A Division 1 bracket. Both SBHS and Harlingen shared the District 32-6A title, but the Lady ‘Hounds received the first seed through a coin flip.

SBHS notched Game 1 in a run-rule, 11-1 win at home. Game 2 was much closer, 3-2. In both instances, SBHS players showcased their talents against a pesky North team.

GAME 1

Freshman Kaitlyn Blanco led a “Who’s Who” of SBHS players that made an impact in the series opener at home on Friday, April 24.

In five plate appearances, Blanco reached base each time. She had a single, two doubles, and a triple. She also had two RBIs.

Blanco tied the game in the third inning after receiving a walk. She stole second, and scored on another freshman, Elilah Gallegos’ double. SBHS scored four runs and never trailed.

Blanco added to the lead in the fourth inning after a double and single, scoring twice. It was part of a six-run inning.

With a 10-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Blanco earned the run-rule victory for SBHS with a left field triple, scoring junior Arianna Rodriguez from first base.

Junior Megan Medina led the Lady ‘Hounds in RBIs with 3. Medina went 3-of-4, earning two singles and a double.

Four Lady ‘Hounds went 2-for-4 at the plate, including Gallegos and freshman Khloe Perez, and juniors Avani Garza and Arielle Hernandez.

Juniors Evelynn Hinojosa, Eliza Gallegos, and Rodriguez each had a hit in four plate appearances.

SBHS made contact with the ball throughout the first game, flying out six times to outfield or part of routine infield outs a half dozen times.

The Lady ‘Hounds accounted for 18 hits against North pitcher Destany Bermudez.

On the flip side, Hernandez had eight strikeouts against the Lady Cougars. She allowed three walks and hit a batter once.

GAME 2

On a hot and muggy Saturday afternoon at North High School, the pitcher Hernandez proved her worth in pivotal situations.

The contest was far from being a blowout like the night before, with both teams scoreless through three innings.

SBHS had two singles in the third, including Hernandez’s hit to left field. However, both she and Garza (single to left) were left stranded on base.

That changed in the fourth inning.

Eliza Gallegos, Hernandez, and Medina each hit two-out doubles to the gap in the outfield. Gallegos crossed the plate on a wild pitch by Bermudez to give SBHS the lead. Hernandez then scored an RBI.

The bottom half of the fifth could have spelled disaster for the Lady ‘Hounds if not for Hernandez’s field presence.

She walked North leadoff batter Khloe Ramirez, and a follow-up wild pitch allowed her to advance to second base. A one-out single by the Lady Cougars’ Veronica Herrera allowed Ramirez to advance to third.

With runners at the corners and only one out, the pressure mounted for Hernandez, but North’s hitter Savannah Farfan didn’t fool SBHS infielders, as she postured for a bunt on every one of Hernandez’s pitches.

The attempt failed miserably when a quick-footed Hernandez caught the pop-out just inside fair territory and tagged out Herrera, with second baseman Blanco covering first base to complete the double play.

Teammates, Head Coach Kristy Leal, and staff celebrated the impressive turn of events.

North had one last gasp as it tied the game at two in the bottom half of the sixth. Hernandez gave up two singles (Destiny Pulido and Karissa Rodriguez) and a double (Caylee Ramirez).

But going into the final frame, Hernandez had earlier showcased her hitting prowess. Facing a 1-1 pitch count against Bermudez, Hernandez had a leadoff homer to centerfield for the go-ahead run.

SBHS teammate Rodriguez followed with a double, but she was left stranded.

Hernandez was counted on to deliver a win from the mound in the bottom half. Her defensive teammates delivered with routine fly-outs to start the inning.

The game certainly had its share of drama as North hitters Farfan (single) and Destiny Pulido (double) reached safely. With Farfan having reached third base on Pulido’s double, Hernandez remained composed in the pitching circle.

Facing a full count, she delivered a pitch that sailed right into the awaiting glove of centerfielder Eliza Gallegos.

Hernandez closed out the game with three strikeouts.

SBHS had eight hits, which included Perez’s single in the sixth inning. Her pinch runner junior Jewelianah Mares was left stranded at first.

SBHS was not the only district team to advance to the area round. Harlingen swept Weslaco in a series and now faces East Central in the Division 1 bracket. Brownsville Veterans Memorial defeated Edinburg in a one-game playoff and now faces Comal Canyon in the Division 2 bracket.

BASEBALL

The San Benito Greyhound Varsity Baseball Team clinched the postseason after closing the regular season last week and finishing fourth in District 32-6A .

They had a 2-6 record in district. Their last three games resulted in losses to Los Fresnos, Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Harlingen.

The ‘Hounds (9-14 season record) began their Class 6A Division 1 bi-district round playing in a best-of-three series against the Edinburg Economedes Jaguars (16-16) record) Thursday.

They both play Game 2 at SBHS Friday, beginning at 7 p.m.

Game 3, if necessary, is being played back in Edinburg on Saturday at 11 a.m.