by JASON GORDON
Hays was on the verge of its first win in a playoff softball game in more than a half-decade Friday night in Bryan.
The Lady Rebels were two outs away from a victory over state-ranked Magnolia in game one of a best-of-three series.
Magnolia, however, was able to squeeze home the tying run and send the game into extra frames where the Lady Bulldogs eventually won 5-4 on a dramatic inside-the-park home run by Reggie Harrison.
Magnolia went on to break a 4-4 tie with four runs in the seventh inning in game two Saturday, to sweep the Lady Rebs out of the postseason.
“I don’t think we’ve ever played as hard as we did in that 10-inning game,” Hays pitcher Amanda Ruiz said. “We were disappointed we didn’t win it, but we played very well.”
In game one, Hays jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning after Emily Opheim’s two-RBI triple to the gap in deep left-center field scored Amanda Ruiz and Kinna Kinsey.
After Magnolia rallied, Opheim again knocked in Ruiz and Kinsey to give the Lady Rebs a 4-3 lead heading to the seventh inning.
Magnolia wouldn’t go away quietly, as a risky squeeze-bunt play scored the tying run from third base to send the game into extra innings.
“We really feel like we should have beaten them,” Farr said. “But even after they tied it up, we never stopped fighting. It was a great softball game.”
Harrison’s liner into the right-field corner was perfectly-placed, and she sped around the base pads to win it in the 10th inning.
“Even after the loss, the girls were very positive and didn’t hang their heads,” Farr said. “I was very proud of them. I really thought we were going to come back and beat them on Saturday.”
Hays fell behind 3-0 Saturday, but tied the game 4-4 after key RBIs by Gabi Albarez and Dani Alvarado.
Magnolia broke the game open in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs keyed by Katy Adair’s two-run double.
“We didn’t make it as far as we wanted to, but it was very exciting to watch this team come together the way it did,” Farr said. “We were really playing well at the end of the year.”
Farr has reason to be excited about the future of her program.
Hays will return all but two seniors – Ruiz and outfielder Taylor McDaniel.
Returning will be regular or part-time starters Leah Couch, Kelsea Sadler, Mary Ann Rizo, Hannah Ramsey, Ashley Miller, Albarez, Opheim, Alvarado, Kinsey, Brittany Pape and Allie Gleason.
“We definitely, definitely have some good ballplayers coming back,” Farr said. “This team will learn a lot from this experience. I was amazed to watch them gel this year and am really looking forward to seeing what they can do in the future.”
