AUSTIN — It was another heartbreaking ending to a another memorable season for the San Benito Lady Greyhounds softball team as a Lady ’Hounds’ lost to Lewisville once again in the Class 6A state semifinals, 3-2, Saturday at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
In the bottom of the seventh trailing 3-0 and in need of some inspiration, San Bneito head coach Elias Martinez offered his players a few simple words: “Play with your hearts.”
And the Lady ‘Hounds did just that. It just wasn’t quite enough.
After Audry Huerta reached first base on a fielder’s choice, Joanna Gonzalez was able to put the Lady Greyhounds on the board to cut the lead to 3-1.
Senior Ali Huerta and Destiny Hernandez both got on base, and Crystal Castillo was able to single to center, scoring Jav’anna Gonzalez in from third to cut the lead to 3-2.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Stephanie Contreras hit a grounder to the third baseman who in turn fired it home a half second before a sliding Kim McCommas reached the plate.
McCommas was called out and the game ended with Lewisville winning 3-2. Lewisville will now play Katy in today’s Class 6A title game.
“This is Lady ’Hounds softball and we don’t give up. Things may not be going our way, but we are going to fight to the bitter end and more often than not we’re going to come out on top,” said San Benito head coach Elias Martinez.
As in 2013, it was the Maribeth Gorsuch show for Lewisville. After going six innings without giving up a hit, the Lewisville ace gave up three hits in the seventh and allowed the two runs. But she was still effective enough througout to slow down the Lady ’Hounds’ offense practically all night.
Gorsuch was also the winning pitcher for Lewisville when the two teams faced off in the 2013 state semifinals.
Gorsuch was also solid at the plate. In the top of the first with one on and one out, the LSU commit blasted a base hit down the center of the park bringing in Gaby Vasquez for an RBI double and the 1-0 lead.
Gorsuch retired the sides on her first visit to the circle, striking out Stephanie Contreras, Kim Harper and Melanie Gonzalez.
The ace pitcher finished the game with 11 strikeouts and two RBIs.
Midway through the top of the fourth, the Lady ’Hounds put their first player on base by way of a walk from Contreras. However, a 6-3 out on Harper, a pop fly to left field and a 5-3 out on Joanna Gonzalez brought down any hopes of a run.
“She’s tough,” said Martinez of Gorsuch. “Its been two years since we faced her as a freshman and now she’s tougher as a junior. At the state tournament they’re all great.”
In the top of the fifth Gorsuch once again proved dangerous at the plate hitting an RBI single between the third baseman and shortstop to bring in Nicole Nelson for the 2-0 lead.
In the top of the 7th the Lady Farmers sealed the deal with a sacrifice hit to center field bringing in Nelson for her second score of the night and a 3-0 lead.