BY KEVIN NARRO | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
WESLACO — The pendulum in District 32-6A was going to swing one way or the other Thursday night. Fresh off a win over San Benito, Harlingen South paid a visit to Weslaco High. The Lady Hawks had an opportunity to defeat two softball heavyweights in the same week, but failed to do so.
A five-run first inning proved to be too much, as Weslaco High remains the team to beat in 32-6A with a 14-4 win in six innings.
The win puts Weslaco (15-2, 5-0) in the driver’s seat in 32-6A with San Benito coming to Weslaco on Tuesday.
“Were seeing the ball well, and we have had a great week of practice despite it being spring break,” Weslaco coach Mario Rodriguez said. “There is something about this team — we stay calm in big moments. I told the girls, they have plenty of games under their belt, and have been in big games before,”
Weslaco’s offense was ignited by the Escamilla sisters. Alyssa Escamilla went 3 for 4, while Audrey Escamilla turned in another four-hit night, going 4 for 4 with a three-run inside the park home run in the second inning to give Weslaco an 8-0 lead.
“Tonight, I saw the ball really well,” Escamilla said. “We knew Harlingen South was coming in with some momentum, but we were able to score early, and that’s what helped us in the end.”
Trailing 8-0 in the third inning, Harlingen South scored four runs off of back-to-back RBI doubles from Kaltlyn Delafunte and Krystal Gonzalez. However, Weslaco senior pitcher Taylor Tafolla managed to get out of the jam with a strikeout, limiting the damage.
Tafolla tossed four innings and allowed four runs, three earned, scattering four hits and striking out two. Although Tafolla’s strikeout total was low, she dazzled the home crowd with her defense. Tafolla accounted for eight outs and finished strong, retiring the side in order in the fourth inning.
Ashley Sada entered in relief for Tafolla in the fifth inning and allowed just one hit in two innings of work.