by MOSES LEOS III
The Lady Rebel softball team got one step closer to their ultimate goal of reaching the UIL State Tournament. An explosion of efficiency at the plate helped Hays complete a two-game sweep of Cedar Park in the Area round of the UIL playoffs last weekend. Hays now advances to the Regional Quarterfinal (third) round of the playoffs for a second straight season, where they will face off against another Hays County team, Dripping Springs.
The torrid pace of the offense began on Thursday in Game One, which saw the Lady Rebels mount a late rally to earn what many on the team called a thrilling 7-4 victory.
First baseman Clarissa Gonzalez helped the Lady Rebels jump out to a 2-0 lead, as she walloped a two-run home run to right center field, striking the scoreboard. Hays added a third run in the top of the third, with catcher Haleigh Madden bringing in an RBI with a single to left field.
Cedar Park mounted their rally in the bottom half of the third, as Courtney Curl knocked an RBI double to left field to cut Hays’ lead to 3-1. Two innings later, Cedar Park’s offense found their stride, driving in three runs on two hits in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead. Jessica Elder highlighted the Lady Timberwolves scoring salvo with a two run RBI single to straightaway center field.
Yet the Lady Rebels mounted one final surge in the seventh. With two on base, Gonzalez pulled a screaming groundball down the right field foul line. Two runs scored on the hit, with Gonzalez, who ended up with a triple, scoring on a Cedar Park throwing error. Pitcher Sarah Leal provided insurance later in that inning via a line drive RBI double to left field, giving Hays a 7-4 lead they held to the finish.
“In our last at bat, we stepped up; we got some big hits from our key players. I was proud of the way they kept battling,” said head coach Aaron Fuller after game one. “As long as we have an at-bat, we have a chance (to win).”
The start to the second game of the series on Friday was nearly identical to the first. Once again, the powerful Lady Rebel offense leapt out to a sizeable lead. The consistency started with a composed approach at the plate.
“The key for me is relaxing at the plate, keeping calm, trusting myself and knowing that my teammates are relying on me,” said Hays third baseman Gaby Albarez, who for the series went 3 for 7, with two doubles and a single.
Hays began game two with a single from shortstop Maddy Shannon, who then stole second. After second baseman Addie Vayas walked, game two’s first run scored off a Cedar Park fielding error on a pop-fly from Gonzalez. Shannon scored on the Lady Timberwolves mistake to give Hays a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, with two runners on base, senior right fielder Brayden Pinckard stepped up and delivered a three-run home run to left field, giving the Lady Rebs a 4-0 lead.
All of the runs were accomplished against right-handed pitcher Kaitlyn Spore; someone who Hays did not expect to face against in the series.
“They tried to switch things up on us by throwing a different pitcher. However, our kids did a good job adjusting to (Spore),” said Fuller. “We worked all week on the left handed pitcher. We did not work much on right-handers in practice. They tried to throw a kink in our game plan, but it didn’t work.”
The Lady Rebels placed another run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. They began the inning with back-to-back singles from designated hitter Michelle Pesina and Shannon. After Addie Vayas advanced the runners on a fielder’s choice, Gonzalez walloped an RBI single to right field, scoring Shannon to give Hays a 5-0 lead. However, the mighty Hays offense struggled to get the big hit to break the game open; something that troubled the team all series.
“We got out to a big lead, and then we coasted through the middle innings,” said Fuller. “We had our opportunities, but we could not get the big hit.” Hays left six batters on the base paths in game two for a total of 15 for the series.
The pitching of Sarah Leal became a pivotal point for Hays’ success. Despite giving up six runs in two games, her ability to get out of trouble kept Cedar Park at bay.
“I know that (in game one), they had no idea what to expect (of me),” said Leal. “After the first game, they came out strong; I noticed it through the hits they had. However, I knew my defense was behind me. I could see that we wanted to win more than they did.” Leal, who powered past being struck by a comebacker in game two, finished the weekend with nine strikeouts, stranding 14 Lady Timberwolves.
“The ability to keep opposing batters off balance with a variety of pitches helped immensely,” Leal said.
Cedar Park scored two runs via an RBI double from Elder in the top of the sixth, but Elder was caught in a rundown between second and third to end the half inning. Hays countered with one last show of force in the bottom half of that inning. With two runners on base, Gonzalez, who went 6 for 8 at the plate with eight RBIs, two triples and two homeruns in the series, lined a three-run home run to left center field, increasing the Rebel lead to 8-2.
Cedar Park did not go quietly in their final at bat, as they loaded the bases with one out. Left fielder Brayden Pinckard dashed those hopes when she snagged a would-be extra-base hit, doubling off a runner at second to end the game.
As their playoff run continues, unity and teamwork are key for the Lady Rebels to advance to the next round.
“We got to keep playing hard in practice and we’ve got to stick together as a team,” said Fuller. “This weekend was a great example; when some girls did not produce like they usually do, their teammates were there to pick them up.”
In addition, Fuller said the need to stay hungry and avoid complacency is important.
“I am beyond ready for the next game,” said Leal. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
Hays will play Dripping Springs in a best-of-three playoff series, beginning on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. Game two and, if necessary, game three will be played on Saturday; game two is slated for a noon first pitch, with game three following the conclusion of game two if need be. All games will be played at Lake Travis High School.
