Shiner sweeps to set up date with Weimar
Saturday, May 20, 2017
by Rey Castillo, Advocate Sports Writer
AdvoSports.com Article | Lady Comanche Softball | Shiner Comanche Sports Home Page
BEEVILLE - Mackinly Pilat, Kassidy Bishop and Bethany Nevlud had a performance Saturday that reflected Shiner's historic season during Game 2 of their Class 2A regional semifinal with No. 2 Riviera Kaufer.
Shiner's Mackinly Pilat attempts to slide past Riviera Kaufer during Game 2 of their Class 2A regional semifinal series Saturday, May 20, 2017. all photos by Stephanie Steinhauser, special to the Advocate
The three combined for 11 hits and seven RBIs in a 15-4 win over the Lady Hawks at A.C. Jones softball field to sweep the best-of-three series.
The offensive burst by the trio set the tone early for the No. 1 Lady Comanches, who advanced to the regional final to meet Weimar for the fifth straight year at an undetermined time and location.
"My approach is just to try and relax," said Bishop, a senior. "In the past, I was nervous, but now I've learned to see the ball and hit the ball."
Bishop capped her day by winning the game in the bottom of the sixth inning via the 10-run mercy rule on a three-run home run.
"I just want everyone to continue to relax and play how we play," Bishop said. "We've played this game together for the past three years."
Lauren Haas got the nod in the pitching circle and the sophomore ace made the most of it. Haas surrendered four runs but attacked the strike zone and finished the day with six strikeouts in the process to keep the Lady Comanches (23-2-2) in the game early.
Shiner's Lauren Haas pitches against Riviera Kaufer during Game 2 of their Class 2A regional semifinal series Saturday, May 20, 2017. She picked up the win.
[ click on any photo to enlarge ]
"We all came out with the mindset that we have to hit to win the game," said Haas who also finished 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. "We're going to continue to work hard at practice and give it our all."
The Lady Hawks (24-3) scored three runs in the fourth inning, but the Lady Comanches' offense was too much in the end as the team combined for 19 hits.
"First, I want to give credit to Riviera because they hung in there," said Shiner coach Steven Cerny. "They didn't quit and their crowd got into it. But at the same time we were able to keep our composure, and I'm proud of our team for hanging in there."
Pilat, who reached base four times, also provided an RBI in the sixth inning. The Lady Comanches scored eight runs and sent 10 batters to the plate during that frame.
"I was trying to hit the ball," Pilat said. "This game gave me more confidence in the batter's box, and it will help me against Weimar."
The Lady Comanches' scoring started in the first when Nevlud connected on her first of three RBIs against Lady Hawks ace Madison Alegria. Cameron Cowan later connected on an RBI single in the second inning before Kailey Williams, who finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs, delivered a two-run single.
"Once I relaxed and broke through, I felt a lot better and it gave me a lot of confidence," said Nevlud, who finished 4-for-4. "We have to keep playing like we've been playing and we'll have no problem."
The Lady Comanches now turn their attention to the Weimar Lady Cats, who stand in their way if they want to three-peat as state champions. Shiner won both games during the regular season.
"It's a whole different ball game since they're our district rivals," Nevlud said.
[ see also Shiner Gazette story ]
GAME STATISTICS 2A Softball Regional Playoff (Game 2) Saturday, May 20, 2017 Beeville, TX Shiner 15, Riviera Kaufer 4 123 456 -- R H E Riviera Kaufer 000 301 -- 4 8 0 Shiner 140 208 -- 15 19 1 W - Lauren Haas. L - Madison Alegria Highlights - (Shiner) Bethany Nevlud 4-for-4, 3 RBIs, Kassidy Bishop 4-for-4, 3 RBIs, Kailey Williams 1-for-3, 3 RBIs, Lauren Haas 2-for-4, RBI, Mackinly Pilat 3-for-3, RBI, Taylor Wenske 1-for-4, Cameron Cowan 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, Lauren Schuette 1-for-3, RBI. Madison Jalufka 1-for-4. (Riviera) Cassie Bustamanta 1-for-3, 2 RBIs, Madison Alegria 1-for-2, RBI. Records - Shiner 23-2-2, Riviera Kaufer 24-3.
Rey Castillo is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-574-1222 or rcastillo@vicad.com
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