Look: Weslaco rallies for 6-3 win over Austin Bowie in Texas 6A softball regional semifinals

Weslaco's Lexi Escamilla hit a two-run go-ahead home run in the fifth inning

CORPUS CHRISTI - Weslaco scored six unanswered runs late in the game to beat Austin Bowie 6-3 in the opening game of their three game Texas Class 6A Regional Semifinal softball playoff series on Friday. 

Game 2 is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Cabinass Softball Complex. If necessary, Game 3 will be played 30 minutes after.

“It feels good to win the first game, but we told them this is just game one and we need to focus on game two,” Weslaco head coach Mario Rodriguez said. “But I am happy for the girls. As we started to see more and more pitches, they started to adjust.”

A battle ensued in the circle as each team turned to its ace: Weslaco's Katia Reyes vs. Austin Bowie's Emma Solis. Reyes fanned 10 batters while Solis finished with 16 strikeouts.

“That is what we expect from her all year long,” Rodriguez said of Reyes' double-digits strikeouts. “She does this every year, so that is what we expect from her and that is what she expects from herself.”

Weslaco had to come from behind after Austin Bowie struck first in the third inning. With two outs, Valerie Feeney got aboard on an error and Taylor Hayward followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Catcher Anya German then crushed a three-run homer over the center field fence to give Austin Bowie a 3-0 lead.

Weslaco had a hard time finding their rhythm at the plate, as Solis kept the Lady Panthers off balance. Solis racked up nine strikeouts through the first four innings and did not allow a hit. 

The Lady Panthers finally broke through in the fifth inning. Romy Nunez and Julie Rodriguez drew back-to-back walks to put runners on first and second base. Elizabeth Craig followed with two-run double to make it a 3-2 game and finally get Weslaco on the scoreboard.

Lexi Escamilla capped the inning with a two-run home run to give Weslaco a 4-3 lead. 

Reyes was brilliant in the circle down the stretch after giving up the early home run. Austin Bowie only managed two hits after the third inning - both by Lauren Youngblood.

Weslaco added two insurance runs in the seventh inning on a two-run home run by Jules Garcia.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photo by Clara Sandoval