MISSION — The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks scored seven runs in the bottom of the second inning against Brownsville Lopez and never looked back en route to an 11-1 victory.
The Diamondbacks finished the game in five inning to take the Class 5A bi-district playoff series 2-1 and become the only team left from the Upper Valley remaining in the UIL softball playoffs.
Diamondbacks pitcher Reaghan Staehely was animated and emotional in the circle as she breezed through the Lobos lineup.
“It is an emotional game,” Staehely said. “I am definitely an emotional player. I like to think that it comes in handy some times because when those girls make those amazing plays. Seeing it happen, seeing it all flow, it just really pulls at your heartstrings.”
The pitcher praised her defense for the win and making herself look good in the circle.
“If it was not for them, I would not be the pitcher that I am today,” Staehely said. “When I am out there, I know that I have a sound defense behind me. We have great bats on offense, so I play knowing that those girls are there for me.”
Staehely led things off in the pivotal second inning with a double and was immediately driven in by Lexie Lopez. Alondra Rodriguez added an RBI, Faith Nunez drove in two runs, Daniela Ortiz then stepped up with an RBI and Staehely came back up to bring in the final run of the second inning.
Lopez put the game away for Sharyland Pioneer in the fourth inning with a two-run home run.
“I was shocked,” Lopez said. “It was a 3-2 count and I was very nervous, but I think all of my nerves went into that hit.”
Brownsville Lopez won the first game at Pioneer and had the Diamondbacks on the ropes for the second game, but a grand slam in extra innings by Sharyland Pioneer leveled the series for Monday’s showdown. Had the Lobos won, District 32-5A would have swept District 31-5A.
It was a rough game for the visiting Lobos, but still a successful season head coach Jessie Martinez said for the only team that made it to the playoffs from the city of Brownsville.
“They came out and had a bad night tonight,” he said. “One bad inning, they scored seven runs and the hit ball hard – bottom line. It is a game of inches, they had some rollers that barely made it through, but they capitalized on them. Overall, I am happy with this group.”
Sharyland Pioneer takes on Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial in the area round.