JOURDANTON — The Veterans Memorial softball team knew what it needed to do to keep its historic season alive Saturday.
The Eagles, down 1-0 in the series to Liberty Hill, needed to sweep two games in order to make the regional final for the first time.
Veterans Memorial took the first step with a needed 8-1 in Game 2 win on Saturday. But, in the nightcap, it was Liberty Hill that emerged with a 4-1 triumph to secure the series and end the most successful Eagles softball campaign in school history.
"We knew we were going to have to come out and play two, and two tough ones against a really good team," Veterans Memorial coach Paula Salinas said. "That third game, we hit the ball, but just right at people. They made some great plays. We knew at this level everyone can play great defense and that is what Liberty Hill did.
"It didn't fall our way today, but I am super proud they fought to the end."
Setting the tone
The Eagles jumped on Liberty Hill with a three-run second inning, taking advantage of two walks to open the frame.
Desi Garcia belted a two-run double to give Veterans Memorial the lead and then scored on an error to give the team a 3-1 lead after two. That offense (3 for 4, two RBIs) combined with her play in left field gave the Eagles a spark in Game 2. Garcia made a highlight reel double play — making a catch deep in foul territory and then threw out a Panthers runner trying to tag up and move to third.
"I was thinking about my team, knowing we needed to get on base," Garcia said. "We were fighting to get to a Game 3. I looked for a pitch and helped to get it started.
"I think the double play was big and we all knew what we wanted. We were fighting Game 3 and unfortunately it didn't go our way today."
Vets capitalized on four Liberty Hill errors, adding a run on a double from Talia Maldonado and then breaking the game open with four runs in the top of the seventh to make Game 3 all but a formality.
Alyssa Burdge blasted a solo home run and then No. 9 hitter Alina Flores brought home two more runs on a double as the Eagles earned a dominant Game 2 win.
Game 3
The Panthers replaced Game 2 starter Bella Nicholson with Aubri Ettinger in Game 3 and the hurler did enough to keep Veterans Memorial off-balance.
Ettinger pitched to contact and time and time again, barrelled up softball found Liberty Hill gloves. After committing four errors in the Game 2 loss, the Panthers played a clean Game 3.
Parker Malone's solo home run in the sixth inning was all the offense the Eagles' explosive bats could muster en route to not being able to pick up their second win to keep the season alive.
The Panthers scored two runs in the first inning and added on with two more in the fourth to pull out their second straight three-game series.
Setting a new bar
Even though the Eagles saw their season come to an end, it was a year of firsts. The first district championship was followed by the best playoff run in Veterans Memorial softball history.
Garcia said the returning players will use the season to build from.
"We are going to have to step up next year, fill some big shoes and come back better and stronger and just remember this," Garcia said. "We will use this as motivation."
Salinas said the team, dubbed "Team 9," set a new bar for Veterans Memorial softball and will be one always remembered in the program and at the school.
"They set their goal from the beginning," Salinas said. "Then they surpassed one. Then another and another. Down to the last out, I thought we were ok and that we were going to do this, because that is the fight they have in them. This team, Team 9, made history and not only for the program, but for our school and our community.
"This team won't be forgotten. They've done so many great things. I know 10 years down the road, we will be bringing them back to celebrate. They set the tone from here on out for our program."
Most Popular
Comments / 0