Lady Oilers slam Lady Gators in bi-district sweep
May 1, 2024
Up to this point in the season, Pearland is 73-6 over the last two years.
The only thing that changed is a new head coach in Michele Hyden and some new faces in this season's lineup -- but the winning tradition remains the same as the Lady O's improved the season record to 32-3 with a 10-0 and 18-1 pounding over District 24-6A fourth seed Dickinson in the Class 6A Region III bi-district round of the post-season.
Pearland’s playoff winning streak improves to 13 games, an extension from the 11-0 run to the state crown in 2023.
It took the Lady Oilers a couple of innings to warm up but once they did -- it didn't take long to take charge of the game in a 10-0 pounding that produced 12 hits that included doubles by Sydney Mann (2-for-2) and Payton Shugart (2-for-3, 1 run, 3 RBIs).
Senior Raenna Liscano (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 3B) smashed a triple while sophomore Layla Bennett (1-for-3, 1 run, 4 RBIs, 1HR) smashed a three-run homer in the sixth frame as a part of a 6-0 third inning lead.
“We needed to see her (Dickinson pitcher Kadence Williams) once through the lineup,” Hyden said. “Once we did that, we started to make things happen, and hitting becomes contagious once it gets started. Only three of these kids were on the field when we finished that state championship game last year.
“It was good to see how they would respond in a playoff atmosphere.”
Pearland would score a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 10-0 lead that would end the game early.
“From last year to now, Layla is undoubtedly our most improved player,” Hyden said. “Every day she makes progress on something. I didn’t know she would bust out with a massive shot to center tonight.
“She’s just a quiet kid, who has an extremely bright future. She has talent and couples that with the right mindset and work ethic.”
Pearland senior Carly Carpenter went the distance in the circle, allowing three hits while striking out five and walking three to spot the Lady Oilers with a 1-0 lead in a best-of-three series.
Pearland 18 - Dickinson 1
It took only four innings for Pearland to flex their muscles in an 18-1 rout over Dickinson to claim the Class 6A Region III bi-district title and advance to the area round in the 6A softball playoffs.
Atascocita (19-13) will face Pearland in the area round after defeating Pasadena Dobie 8-2 and 12-4 in their best-of-three series.
I didn't take long for Pearland to take care of Dickinson in the second game of their best-of-three series.
The Lady Oilers scored one run in the top of the first and then exploded for 11 runs in the second frame for a 12-0 lead.
Pearland scored three more in the third and fourth innings while giving up a harmless run to the Lady Gators in the second inning on an error. The game ended 18-1 after four innings thanks to the Mercy Rule. Dickinson closed out the season with a 15-20 mark.
Meanwhile, Pearland improved to 32-3 and continue their run in the 6A post-season.
Pearland banged out 18 hits to plate 18 runs.
Leading hitters include: Kelsey Martin (2-for-2, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Kaylee Schweitzer (3-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs, 3B), Raenna Liscano (2-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBIs), Payton Shugart (4-for-4, 3 runs, 1 RBI, 2B), Trinity Perry (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 2B), Layla Bennett (1-for-3, 2 RBIs, 2B), Julia St. John (1-for-1, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 3B), Emrie Ashcraft (2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI), and Sydney Mann (1-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBIs).
Carly Carpenter pitched three innings to pick up the win after allowing only one hit and an unearned run with three strikeouts.
