After a nail-biting 1-0 win over the San Antonio East Central Hornets April 25, the Hays Rebels softball team sped away to a 7-1 win Friday to claim a bi-district playoff round sweep.

Propelling the Rebels were a pair of strong performances by senior pitcher Max Valdez, along with clutch hits up and down the lineup.

“I think we came out stronger than we were yesterday (Thursday), because we didn’t play so timid today,” Valdez said. “I think it was because we were home and...