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Jackie Longoria pitched every inning Saturday, and Edinburg North received hitting across its lineup to beat McAllen Rowe on 9-1 in Game 2 and 8-0 in Game 3 to wrap up their Class 6A area-round playoff series.
The Lady Cougars overcame a 3-2 loss on Friday to make a return trip to the regional quarterfinals next week against PSJA Memorial.
“It was an all-around team effort,” Edinburg North coach Richard Tressler said. “Everyone contributed. When we needed it, someone came through.”
Tressler said his team had a better approach at the plate Saturday, with his players being more selective with pitches and working the count. They nearly run-ruled both games, and extended a season in which they captured a consecutive district title.
As the top seed in 31-6A, Edinburg North (29-7) drew Harlingen High in the bi-district round, resulting in a two-game sweep.
After dropping the first game of the second round, Tressler said he reminded his players about the execution they had practiced all week.
“I told them we didn’t do any of that, and I was disappointed we didn’t have a better approach,” Tressler said. “I said, ‘You know we have a good draw. Do you want to squander your opportunity?’ And they responded well to the talk. They have all year.”
WESLACO HIGH 8, EAGLE PASS 6: At Laredo, the Lady Panthers secured a two-game sweep to advance to the regional quarterfinals.
Weslaco, the No. 3 seed from 31-6A, ousted a district champion for a second week in a row. In bi-district, the Lady Panthers beat Brownsville Veterans, the 32-6A champ, in three games.
“We’ve had a tough road to go through, but we’re right there with everyone else,” coach Mario Rodriguez said.
Alyssa Escamilla, who started the first five innings, picked up the win. Taylor Tafolla, who pitched in relief, closed out the final innings after leading the Lady Panthers to a victory in Game 1 on Friday.
Weslaco will face Edinburg High in the regional quarterfinals.
CLASS 5A
CORPUS CHRISTI CALALLEN 10, SHARYLAND PIONEER 8; CALALLEN 9, PIONEER 6: At Corpus Christi, the Lady Diamondbacks saw their season come to a close with consecutive losses.
The District 31-5A champions held a one-game lead after beating Calallen 3-2 on Friday.
GREGORY-PORTLAND 11, EDINBURG VELA 1: At Alice, the Lady SaberCats saw their opening-day lead evaporated, losing two straight games to bring to a close their fourth year as a school.
Vela, the runner-ups in 31-5A, beat Edcouch-Elsa in three games to advance to the area round for the first time in the program’s short history.
SOMERSET 4, RIO GRANDE CITY 3: At Laredo, the Lady Rattlers lost for the second day in a row, closing out their first trip to the area round in eight years.
RGC finished with a 16-15 record after beating PSJA High in three games, and losing to Somerset in two.
CLASS 3A
ODEM 9, SANTA ROSA 4: At Kingsville, the Warriors endured a sweep on the road.