Judson can’t contain Southwest’s offense in area round
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Like an iceberg, there’s much more to Southwest’s potent hitting attack than the part you see at the surface.
The impetus behind the Dragons’ run-scoring machine is a combination of hard work and determination. Factor in the experience that comes with seven fourth-year varsity players, and it’s easy to understand how Southwest (29-9) is capable of burying opponents.
The Dragons, No. 4 in the final Express-News area rankings, did just that to No. 2 Judson (28-8) over the last two contests in their three-game Class 5A area-round series. The Rockets won the opener 8-4 last Thursday. Southwest showed its resiliance with a 14-4 win on Friday and a 14-7 decision on Saturday.
“Our team is made up of nothing but hitters,” said Southwest senior Kamerie Vidales, who popped a solo home run and a three-run shot in the series finale. “Hitting is our team right now.”
Judson got the crucial hits in the series opener, including an RBI single from Brenda Iparraguirre (3-for-4, 4 RBIs) in the three-run fourth inning and her two-run single in the sixth. Southwest led 2-1 in the second when senior Amanda Sanchez’s two-out single was misplayed for two errors. The Rockets’ tied it on Nicole Shedd’s RBI double and kept the hits coming at the Northeast ISD Complex east field.
“I’ve worked very hard on (my change-up),” Judson pitcher Michelle Iparraguirre said. “That was very important to our game plan, which was to keep them off-balance.”
A double to the right-field fence from senior Kayla Arguello (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) drove in Liz Phillips in the fifth brought the Dragons within 6-3. Arguello also supplied an RBI single in the seventh.
“(Iparraguire) mixed the curve in and kept us off-balancee,” Southwest coach Sandy Hernandez said. “She held us to five hits. That’s got to be the fewest this year.
“We’ll have to break down it down to see what we can do to hit her better.”
Southwest responded with a 10-run, second-inning bonanza after the Rockets grabbed a 3-0 lead in Game 2 at Villarreal Field No. 1. Winning pitcher Caitlin Terrazas hit the Dragons’ only home run among their 13 hits over six innings.
“I feel like we’re more of a team,” Vidales said, comparing this year’s Dragons to recent seasons. “We’re not a one-person show. From freshman year to now, we’ve built relationships that can’t be broken.”
Judson forged a 3-0 lead over the first three innings in Game 3 behind a home run from Caitlin Mora and an RBI single from Brenda Iparraguirre. The Dragons’ comeback also was built around the long ball.
“I couldn’t ask anything more as a coach,” Hernandez said. “All 16 of them stepped up a little bit. In the dugout, everybody was together. When we come together, we’re tough to beat.”
Senior Kristal Salinas provided an RBI single in the bottom of the third. Vidales’ first home run cut the deficit to a run.
“Honestly, I didn’t go up trying to hit a home run,” Vidales said. “I was trying to bring runs in. She kind of threw it over the middle, and I took it out.”
Singles by Yanira Fernandez and Miranda Gonzales helped Southwest gain a 4-3 lead after four innings at Northside ISD Field No. 1. Vidales’ second home run, and 11th of the season, made it 7-4. The Dragons’ lead grew by two more runs with help from a Fernandez double.
The Rockets closed to 9-7 in their half of the sixth on a three-run homer from Shedd. That merely set the stage for Terrazas’ game-clinching grand slam.
“It was a great feeling,” Terrazas said. “It didn’t matter what the score was. In the box, I knew what I was looking for. I just stuck to the plan.
“It felt just awesome. I was just looking for something to drive. I guess (Iparraguire) missed her spot.”
Arguello lined a leadoff single and Vidales, who had homered in two previous plate appearances, was issued an intentional walk. The bases were loaded after Fernandez singled to center field.
“Getting those extra insurance runs really helped,” Terrazas said. “I always pitch well when I have some cushion. It’s always a contagious feeling when we’re hitting and scoring.”
Southwest kept pouring it on.
A walk to Gabby Flores and singles from Sanchez and Kristal Salinas re-loaded the bases. Phillips worked a base on balls for an RBI and a 14-7 lead.
Terrazas retired the first two Rockets batters in the seventh. Following a single from Alexis Eleman, the junior induced a ground out to end the series.
“I would have to say (it’s) our work ethic,” Terrazas said, explaining the Dragons’ offensive success. “We spend a lot of time on hitting.
“We know, at this point in the playoffs, there’s pressure, but we know we’ve got to do this. We don’t have
many distractions because we love to do this. That’s what makes us so strong at the plate.”
The Dragons reached the Region IV quarterfinals for the first time since 2011, when they advanced to the semifinals.
Southwest will play District 28-5A rival Steele (19-12) in the best-of-three series, which begins Thursday with a game at the NEISD east field. Friday’s game is at Mary Ann Villarreal Field No. 1. The series will shift to Northside ISD Field No. 2 for Game 3 Saturday, if necessary.
“We definitely respect everyone we go against,” Terrazas said. “We can’t let our guards down. We have to keep our team grounded.
“Our team has come together well. We just have to play our best. It’s a matter of executing and contributing.”
Southwest was the district champion with an 8-2 record. Rapidly improving Steele (4-6 in district) was the No. 4 seed.
“I always knew they were good,” Hernandez said. “They’ve got (Jennifer) Hittinger on the mound and (Alexis) Walkden) is a great player. We respect every team equally and prepare for every team equally.”
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