Lady Oilers hitting their groove in second round

April 5, 2011

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Haley Beam

PEARLAND — Head coach Laneigh Clark had a little chit chat with her girls a few games back following a victory. But she wasn't overjoyed with the win. She actually really annoyed because the Lady Oilers were showing no heart or desire and certainly were representing themselves as the defending state champions.

Since that night, the Lady O's have begun to resemble the team that posted two shutouts at the 5A state softball tournament to win the crown.

Facing their old nemesis Brazoswood, the Lady Oilers knew the importance of this game in their quest to win the District 24-5A title.

The game resembled the game two years ago in the playoffs when Brazoswood held a 4-2 lead entering the top of the seventh. With two outs, no runners on base, and the count three ball and two strikes, it appeared that the season was over for Pearland.

But a dropped popup, five straight singles and four runs gave Pearland a 6-4 lead.

A shocked Brazoswood team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game 6-6, but Pearland scored three in the top of the eighth and held on for the traumatic 9-6 win resulting in Pearland winning the Region III title before falling in the state finals 1-0.

Last week, Brazoswood scored two runs in the top of the ninth for a 3-1 lead, but lightening would strike twice as Pearland rallied in their half of the ninth to score three runs and send the Lady Bucs home with a 4-3 loss.

Trailing 1-0 in the fifth, Kirstie Barrick, who had battled ACL injuries, recorded her first hit of the season with an RBI single to tie up the game 1-1.

"Kirstie is a great kid and a hard worker," Clark said. "She's been out five or six months, but steps up in the clutch when we really needed it."

Junior Haley Beam, who committed an error in the top of the ninth allowing Brazoswood to go ahead 3-1, redeemed her miscue with a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth. That was followed by singles from Rebecca Berreth, Courtney Sams, and Leandra Maly; agressive base running and a wild pitch, along with the string of hits helped the Lady Oilers take a very tight extra-inning district game 4-3.

Pearland completed the dramatic rally when leadoff hitter Maly hit a shot to the Brazoswood shortstop that was fumbled, allowing pinch-runner Stacie Pilkington to score with the game-winner.

All-State pitcher Jessica Bowden (15-4) picked up the win after allowing one earned run, eight hits with three strikeouts in nine complete innings.

Pearland 12 - Clear Brook 1

A five-inning run-rule shortened game ended with the Lady Oiler beating Clear Brook 12-1.

Jessica Bowden went the distance on the mound allowing one unearned run; Haley Beam was 2-for-3 with three RBIs; Lauren Langner was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, three runs scored, and an RBI. Chelsea Bennett was 2-for-3, Kristen Cuyos was 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs.

Pearland is now 21-8 and faced Alvin on Tuesday (late). The Lady O's face Clear Springs on Friday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m

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