The sweet six teams
As week two of the softball playoffs looms, the field of area clubs has been cut in half from 12 to six.
That’s the nature of the postseason. One week you’re in and the next you’re preparing for next season. Congrats to those teams who bowed out last week on a great season, nonetheless.
We’ll preview this weekend’s games a bit more in-depth later this week, but for now, let’s take a quick look at who’s still in it.
Class 5A
San Benito (28-6) is one of only two Class 5A squads from the area still battling.
The Lady ’Hounds staved off a feisty Harlingen club in bi-district to move on to the area round, where they’ll face Eagle Pass (25-5), co-champs of 29-5A.
Against Harlingen, San Benito’s bunt game was defended, as the Lady Cards used an infield shift with an extra fielder to help slow it down.
For the most part, it worked. But as good teams do, San Benito got it done regardless. Clutch hitting and good pitching enabled San Benito to move on.
Weslaco also moved to area with a 2-1 series win over Harlingen South.
For Weslaco (21-10), it was the first playoff appearance in approximately nine years. And to think Weslaco was three outs away from being eliminated.
After a late 13-12 win in Game 2 to stay alive, the momentum carried over in the decisive Game 3, as Weslaco got the bats going and held off the Lady Hawks 7-3.
Weslaco’s win gets them a three-game set against La Joya (26-4), the Valley Morning Star’s top ranked club.
Also in class 5A from the Upper-Valley, PSJA North (25-7) will square off with Sharyland (23-10) in a three-game set. Edinburg North (19-12) and Laredo Nixon (24-6) will engage in a one-game playoff Thursday in Zapata.
Class 4A
The Valley’s only team left here is Mercedes.
After their playoff bye last week, the Lady Tigers (23-5) will match-up with San Antonio South San (24-7) this weekend in Calallen.
Mercedes just won their third straight 32-4A district title and will look to avenge last year’s area round exit at the hands of Gregory-Portland.
South San beat G-P last week, sweeping two Saturday games from the Lady Wildcats after dropping Game 1.
This year, the Lady Tigers have been cruising, as their three-headed pitching machine has been outstanding.
Class 3A
Three teams remain in 3A.
District 31-3A champ Raymondville, La Feria, the 32-3A champ, and Lyford will all be in action this weekend.
Raymondville (19-5), coming off its bye, will face Aransas Pass (20-7-1) in a one-game playoff Friday night on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville.
The Lady Kats of coach Pete Soria beat Lyford for the district championship on April 20. This is the fifth consecutive season Raymondville has won at least a share of a district title.
However, the goal for the 2007 edition of the blue and gold is to get the past the area round, where they’ve been defeated the past couple of seasons.
La Feria, meanwhile, won its district by defeating runner-up Rio Hondo in two out of three games this season.
The Lionettes (15-11) draw Cuero this weekend in Alice, starting Thursday.
On the arm of pitcher Clarissa Casas, La Feria has used an all-around team concept to perfection this year.
Second-year coach Belinda Treviņo’s club will try to knock off Cuero, the 29-3A runner-up, which swept Ingleside last weekend. The winner of this series will face the winner of our next playoff pairing.
Last but not least, Lyford will take on state-ranked Sinton.
The Lady Bulldogs are a solid ballclub, led by coach Andy Peņa. They easily handled Hidalgo 24-4 last week in bi-district.
During the regular season, Lyford relied on sound pitching from Petie Guerra and great defense, led by senior all-everything catcher Amaris Hernandez.
But Lyford (18-6) will have their hands full this weekend with the Lady Pirates (29-6-1), the 30-3A champ which comes off a bye. This series begins Friday in Sinton.
Armando Garza covers high school softball for the Valley Morning Star. He can be reached at 956-430-6255 or at armandog@valleystar.com
