BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — As the number of remaining teams dwindles from one round of the playoffs to the next, the reasons certain teams advance further are many. Consistent starting pitching is one. Timely hitting is another. A mistake-free defense is paramount, as well. Additionally, for teams like Weslaco High (29-3), players not in the starting lineup find a way to shine when the spotlight is brightest.
Junior utility infielder Iliana Trujillo is a reserve coach Mario Rodriguez called upon during Game 2 of the team’s regional quarterfinal series against Edinburg High. With two outs in the sixth inning and a runner in scoring position in a scoreless game, Trujillo pinch hit and knocked an RBI double that accounted for the lone run in Weslaco’s series-clinching victory.
“I went up there knowing there were two outs with (teammate) Audrey (Escamilla) still in scoring position,” Trujillo said. “I was going to swing at whatever was coming to me with all I’ve got.”
Trujillo doesn’t mind the challenge of being thrust midgame into a position to produce with little time for reaction.
“There’s been multiple times when Coach has thrown me into the game,” Trujillo said. “Throughout the game, I have to be mentally focused. I can’t pay attention to the crowd, because that could make me nervous. So I go up there, relax and remember what Coach Rod told us: to have fun and relax. In any situation, I’m prepared to go whenever he needs me.”
Sophomore reliever Ashley Sada is another one of those talented reserves. In Game 1 of the regional quarterfinal series versus the Lady Bobcats, Sada entered in relief of starter Taylor Tafolla and retired all 10 hitters she faced to close out a 10-1 victory. In Game 2 the next day, Sada entered to start the fifth inning and sat down all nine batters, one by one.
“I’ve got to pitch hard and be mentally prepared whenever I step on the mound,” Sada said. “I’ve also got to trust my catcher behind the plate and the defense behind me, as well.”
“These girls have earned our trust,” Rodriguez said. “They come and practice well. They’re good players. Ashley’s been in some crucial situations and has pulled through for us. That’s why I don’t hesitate to make those type of moves.”
Rodriguez’s club is on a roll. The Lady Panthers are a perfect 6-0 in the postseason, winning by an average of 5.83 runs per game. They have also won 15 consecutive games since a 3-2 loss to San Benito on March 21.
“We’ve just been paying attention to details,” Rodriguez said. “We were winning games, but a lot of times, we hadn’t been doing the right things or giving our best effort and getting away. When you face quality teams, you won’t get away with it. That’s kind of what the San Benito loss taught us. You have to pay attention to the little things and execute. We’ve put more effort and focus on those types of things, and that’s how we’ve been able to win all those games.”
Ahead for Weslaco is a regional semifinal series versus New Braunfels Canyon (29-6) beginning with Game 1 at 8 p.m. tonight at the Student Activity Center in Laredo. Weslaco swept Canyon in the regional final playoff series last season.
“Canyon’s a very good team,” Rodriguez said. “They were a very good team last year, and they got better. They have two new transfer girls that are impact players. It’s going to be a tough task for us. At the same time, hopefully we can come out and also prove that we’ve gotten better, too. I’m expecting it to be a lot like the Edinburg series. We’ll see what happens.”