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Cali Morris (1) takes her stance in the batter's box during Game 1 of Como-Pickton's Regional Quarterfinals series against Union Grove. Morris batted 2 for 4 in the game. Photo by DJ Spencer
Facing Lovelady in Regional Semifinals
The Como-Pickton Lady Eagles continued their winning ways by sweeping the Union Grove Lady Lions in their Regional Quarterfinal series at Grand Saline High School. Como-Pickton won both games by scores of 5-1 and 5-4.
For the first game, The Lady Eagles stepped up to the plate first. Bella Romero started the game off with a triple. After Lauren Lewellen struck out, Mattison Buster was intentionally walked.
After Addi Monk struck out, Alyssa Corona put the Lady Eagles on the board with a 2-RBI double, bringing Romero and Buster home and giving them a 2-0 lead. Corona would soon score a run of her own on an error, making the score 3-0. The run ended after Cali Morris struck out.
The Lady Lions came to the plate next, where they faced Buster in the circle. Their first two at-bats ended in a ground out and a strikeout. Though a single kept the inning going, a fly out brought the first inning to a close.
The Lady Eagles quickly gained two base runners to start the second inning after Maggie Brown walked and Juda Van Rijn hit a single. After Sanay Diaz struck out, Romero swatted an RBI double, bringing Brown home and extending the lead to 4-0. However, their run ended after Lewellen grounded out and Van Rijn was picked off at third base.
The Lady Lions began the bottom of the second inning by reaching base on an error. This would be followed by three consecutive strikeouts, ending the second inning.
The Lady Eagles kicked off the third inning with Buster being intentionally walked again. Two quick outs followed after Monk hit a pop fly ball for an out and Corona hit a fly ball for an out. Though two base runners would be gained after Morris hit a single and Brown reached base on an error, their turn ended after Van Rijn struck out.
The Lady Lions were retired in order during the bottom of the third inning, following consecutive ground outs and a strikeout.
The Lady Eagles were likewise retired in order to start the fourth inning, as Diaz struck out, Romero hit a pop fly ball for an out, and Lewellen grounded out.
The Lady Lions began the bottom of the fourth inning with a single. An out occurred soon after when the runner was caught stealing. After a home run would cut the Lady Eagles’ lead to 4-1, Buster responded with consecutive strikeouts, closing out the fourth inning.
The Lady Eagles started the fifth inning with Buster launching a home run, extending the lead to 5-1. After Monk walked, Corona hit a pop fly ball for an out. Soon after, Monk was caught stealing second base. Though a Morris single kept the inning going, Brown grounded out on the next at-bat, ending their turn.
The Lady Lions would be retired in order during the bottom of the fifth inning, following a strikeout and consecutive pop outs.
The Lady Eagles started the sixth inning with Van Rijn grounding out. After Diaz hit a single, two more outs followed after both Romero and Lewellen hit pop fly balls for outs.
The Lady Lions started the bottom of the sixth inning by reaching base on an error. Three outs followed on a ground out, a strikeout, and a runner caught stealing.
The Lady Lions, having learned their lesson from the fifth inning, intentionally walked Buster for the third time when the Lady Eagles started the seventh inning. Another runner was gained after Monk hit a single.
On the next at-bat, Corona grounded into a fielder’s choice, resulting in Buster being tagged out at third base. After Monk was caught stealing third base, a Morris ground out ended their turn.
The Lady Lions began the bottom of the seventh inning with a single. Following a strikeout, a walk put another runner on base. This was followed by a strikeout and a ground out, as Como-Pickton polished off a 5-1 victory.
As a team, the Lady Eagles batted 9 for 28 (.321) from the plate. Morris and Romero recored two hits each. Five Lady Eagles added one hit each: Buster. Corona, Diaz, Monk, and Van Rijn.
Buster was the leading scorer with two runs. Brown, Corona, and Romero scored one run each.
Buster picked up the win in the circle. Across seven inning, she struck out 11 batters and only gave up four hits, one walk, and one earned run.
For the second game, the Lady Lions were ready to play, as they built a 3-1 in the first three innings. After a scoreless fourth inning, the Lady Eagles would score four runs in the fifth inning to pull ahead 5-3. Though the Lady Lions added another run in the seventh inning, their efforts were too little, too late, as Como-Pickton held on for a 5-4 victory and won the series.
As a team, the Lady Eagles batted 4 for 23 (.174) from the plate. Four Lady Eagles recorded one hit each: Brown, Corona, Lewellen, and Makensa Morris.
Romero was the leading scorer with two runs. Buster, Corona, and Lewellen scored one run each.
Buster pitched another complete game in the circle. Across seven innings, she struck out eight batters and only gave up four runs, three hits, three walks, and two earned runs.
With these wins, the Lady Eagles are now 31-3 on the season. They will now prepare for the Regional Semifinals, where they will face the Lovelady Lady Lions in a best of three series at Tyler Legacy High School.
Game 1 will be Tuesday at 6 p.m. Game 2 will be Thursday at 6 p.m. Game 3, if needed, will be Friday at 6 p.m.