By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
AUSTIN — After a 4-0 loss to Pearland in the UIL state semifinals, Weslaco High pitcher Taylor Tafolla couldn’t help but look ahead to next year.
The Lady Panthers, after all, were the least experienced team in the tournament, never having advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs, while competing without any seniors on their roster Friday at McCombs Field.
“It’s more reassuring knowing that everyone is going to be ready next year,” Tafolla sad. “That we’re going to have that mindset that we’re going to be back here again.
“We don’t have to reassure people not to be nervous in games. We already have that feeling of going to state, and we’re going to look back on the little errors we made in the past games so we could get back and play in this game again.”
Weslaco (33-8) overcame a rash of injuries to capture the third seed in District 31-6A before sweeping three of five opponents en route to Austin.
It was the third time in four years that the Valley was represented at state, after San Benito made it in 2013 and 2015.
“It just means that we’re working in the right direction,” Weslaco coach Mario Rodriguez said. “The things we’re doing are paying of for us. The girls now have a year under their belt, and it’ll probably jumpstart us for next year.”
The Lady Panthers yielded three runs in the seventh inning Friday as Pearland pulled away. The Lady Oilers were armed with 14 college commits and the winningest coach in state history (Laneigh Clark, 617 victories).
Pearland is playing in the state tournament for the fifth time in program history. It has won two state titles, with the possibility of a third today.
“I thought it was a great experience being here in the first place,” sophomore Alyssa Escamilla said. “We just know what we’re capable of now, and we’ll be back next year.”
ONE AND DONE
Weslaco swept three opponents to reach the UIL state tournament. Twice, however, it rallied after a Game 1 loss to win the series.
That margin for error, Rodriguez said, was missed Friday.
“The difficult part is that you only get one chance. You don’t get a series (at the state tournament),” Rodriguez said. “We hadn’t seen much of each other, so you have to make adjustments on the fly. And in the end, I think we were just one run away from keeping us in it.”
BATTLING
Despite a bruised bone on her forearm, Tafolla pitched her 14th game of the postseason.
The junior pitcher returned from turf toe during the second half of district to help Weslaco clinch a playoff berth and rip off an 11-2 run heading into Friday’s game.
Against Pearland, Tafolla (27-6) threw 112 pitches, 75 for strikes. She surrendered nine runs on four hits, recording zero strikeouts and two walks.
FINAL COLLISION
Pearland (32-6-1) will take on Keller (31-7) in the Class 6A championship at 4 p.m. today at McCombs Field in Austin.
Prior to the last Texas Girls Coaches Association Softball Poll, Pearland was the No. 2 team in state. Keller was No. 1.
Pearland beat 2015 state champion Katy in the regional finals.