By Moses Leos III
For the second straight year, the Hays Lady Rebels softball team opened its playoff bid with a dominant run-rule win.
Eight runs over the first three innings provided the base for Hays’ 14-0 drubbing of San Antonio Jefferson in five innings Friday at San Antonio Burbank High School. Hays moves on to play Round Rock Vista Ridge in the area playoff round.
Game one is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Game two at 7 p.m. Friday and, if necessary, game three on Saturday at 5:30. All games will be played at Lake Travis High School.
“The kids know [Vista Ridge is] good,” Hays head coach Aaron Fuller said. “We are going to play really well to come out on top.”
The Rebels’ torrent of runs began with senior Maddy Shannon, who led off the game with a triple; the first of two triples for Shannon, who went 3 for 4 with two RBIs on the day.
Hays proceeded to send eight more batters up to the plate in the first; six reached base safely. RBI singles from Haliegh Madden, Lizzie Bowne and Brooke Vasquez helped Hays to a 4-0 lead in the first.
After adding another run in the second, Hays tallied three runs in the third to take a 8-0 advantage.
Fuller said the team quickly adjusted to Jefferson pitcher Mary Loera’s slower pitches. Loera went five innings, giving up 12 hits, while striking out two.
He lauded the team’s penchant to get production from beyond their power hitters.
“It comes from everyone. Our lineup doesn’t count on the top three or four hitters,” Fuller said. “We’ve got everyone scoring runs. Our lineup is swinging the bat well right now.”
In the circle, senior pitcher Sarah Leal limited Jefferson’s productivity at the plate. Leal pitched a two-hit shutout, while striking out six batters. No Jefferson base runner made it past first base.
Fuller credited the defense for backing up their pitcher.
“They played well behind (Leal),” he said. “It gave them extra work, especially when we need it for the playoffs.”
Hays’ offense then finished off the Mustangs, scoring six runs in the fourth and fifth to close the game.
Fuller said the large lead allowed him to reach into his bench. He said it would prove crucial during the playoff run. It also allowed him to bring in Aspen Salazar, who had missed most of the district season due to a stroke suffered in February.
“To get the first playoff game out of the way and get experience, it settles [the younger players’] nerves moving forward,” Fuller said.
With Jefferson behind them, Hays now focuses on Vista Ridge, which toppled LBJ 24-2 on Friday.
Working to adjust and fine tune their game will be a focus before the series.
“There are things you feel like you can work on,” Fuller said. “the kids are doing what they needed to do to win.”
