Memorial avenge last season’s lost, The Woodlands softball team move on to state
Klein Oak goes from not making the playoffs a year ago to playing for a chance to advance to state. Panthers advanced to the Class 5A Region II Finals after sweeping Dallas Jesuit 10-6, 10-9. Co-District Champ and rival, Klein gain a berth in the Region Finals for the second straight year by way of sweeping Garland Rowlett 4-3, 8-4. The Bearkats and Klein Oak shared the district title with identical 11-3 records. The two will meet for a chance to advance to Round Rock next weekend.
Brazoswood took out Lamar 5-3, 8-2 in two straight games in one Region III Semifinals to setup a rematch with Memorial. Last year the Bucs lost a heart breaking decisive game three in the regional semis to the Mustangs.
Memorial out lasted Clements in one of the most memorable three game series that eyes have witnessed. Each game was won by one run. The Mustangs led game one 6-2, before Blake Johnson hit a grand slam to tie the game at 6, helping the Rangers take a 1-0 lead. Fireworks exploded in game two as both teams combined for 33 runs, 34 hits, 17 for extra bases and five home runs in a 17-16 Mustangs victory. In game three Ben Carl did it with his pitching and hitting. His 2-run single was enough as Wayne Taylor came on in relief to shut the door on the Rangers 4-3.
When talking to coach York about the four marathon win over Clements, this was his thoughts. “I thought it would be a pretty quick fast played game, it’s just two good teams playing. I have to tip my hat to coach De La Santos and the Clements Rangers, they just never give up. They were down eight but never gave up. That’s the sign of a good team and baseballs’ a funny game.”
In Class 4A Region III, Brenham came up with a game high 18 runs in game three to drop Santa Fe 18-7 and move on to the Regional Finals where they will face Magnolia, who swept Friendswood 7-6, 5-1.
In softball news, it took the state bound Woodlands (42-1) three games to dispose of Tomball in Class 5A Region II Finals. The Cougars (34-6) did something that no other team was able to do and that was put a blemish on the Highlanders record, a 9-8 setback in Game two of the best-of-three series. The Woodlands ranked No. 1 in the nation will be making its first trip to state. They won game one 5-3 before falling 9-8 in game two and advanced to the state tournament with a 9-7 victory in game three. 41 consecutive wins is what the Highlanders were able to do so far this season, pretty amazing, not many can contest to that.
In Region III, Pearland will join the Highlanders after putting the broom to Dobie 2-1, 3-1.
Santa Fe out slugged Montgomery 11-10 in the deciding game three of the best-of-three series in Class 4A Region III to gain their first berth in the state tournament set for next weekend.
Regional Finals Pairings
5A Region II
Klein vs. Klein Oak
Game 1: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, UH
Game 2: 2 p.m. Friday, UH
Game 3: 30 minutes after Game 2, Friday (if necessary)
5A Region III
Memorial vs. Brazoswood
Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Butler
Game 2: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Butler
Game 3: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Butler (if necessary)
4A Region III
Brenham vs. Magnolia
Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Mumford
Game 2: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Mumford
Game 3: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Mumford (if necessary)
3A Region III
Columbia vs. Robstown
Game 1: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sinton
Game 2: 5 p.m. Saturday, Manvel
Game 3: 30 minutes after Game 2, Saturday, Manvel (if necessary)
Softball regional final pairings
5A Region II
Tomball vs. The Woodlands
Game 1: 7 p.m. Thursday, Tomball
Game 2: 7 p.m. Friday, The Woodlands
Game 3: 7 p.m. Saturday, Magnolia (if necessary)
5A Region III
Pearland vs. Dobie
Game 1: 7 p.m. Thursday, Manvel
Game 2: 7 p.m. Friday, Manvel
Game 3: 7 p.m. Saturday, Manvel (if necessary)
4A Region III
Montgomery vs. Santa Fe
Game 1: 7 p.m. Thursday, Morton Ranch
Game 2: 7 p.m. Friday, Morton Ranch
Game 3: 2 p.m. Saturday, Morton Ranch (if necessary)
3A Region IV
Columbia vs. Sweeny
Game 1: 7 p.m. Thursday, UH
Game 2: 4 p.m. Saturday, Alvin
Game 3: 6 p.m. Saturday Alvin (if necessary)
2A Region IV
Academy vs. Danbury
Game 1: 7:30 Thursday, Shiner
Game 2: 5 p.m. Saturday, Shiner
Game 3: 7 p.m. Saturday, Shiner (if necessary)
