Underclassmen shine in game 2 helping Coahoma advance to the state tournament
The Coahoma Bulldogettes have called on their underclassmen all season to get the job done. Coach Alex Orosco's crew played a very difficult non-district schedule and prevailed. They had virtually no competition in district play, enabling Orosco to give plenty of playing time to his younger players. It all came to a head when the playoffs started.
The Bulldogettes went through a brutally tough Region I, capping it off by defeating last year's state bronze medalist Holliday, 5-1, 7-4. Never was the strength of Coahoma's youth more powerful.SDF Freshman pitcher Hannah Wells went the distance in both wins. She pitched a one-hitter in game one, striking out 12. In game two Holliday did piece together some hits but when push came to shove Wells shut Holliday down, striking out 14 in the game.
The catalyst in the series win however, was senior shortstop Madison Rodgers, who is an all-state player, a four-year starter, and excellent leadoff hitter. Rodger's home run in the first inning of game 1 set the tone for Coahoma. “Not only is she the vocal leader of the Lady Dawgs but a leader with her play on the diamond.” said Orosco.
In game two against Holliday she just barley missed a homer to left field but later in the contest she went opposite field and homered to right field. Down the stretch however it was underclassmen that pulled Coahoma through.
Freshman Neveah Kerby hit a two-run double in the sixth inning and sophomore Bryann Rodgers, (Madison's sister) put the icing on the cake with a two-run double in the seventh. The only glaring blemish in the series was a combined seven errors.
The Franklin team will be making their first ever state tournament appearance. Sophomore Reece Cotrell is its ace in the circle, she pitched a seven-hitter and struck out 11 in the regional final win. She ended the game by striking out a batter with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. Freshman catcher Traci Lowry led Franklin by hitting a three-run homer in the fourth inning when the scored was tied 1-1.
UIL 3A STATE SOFTBALL FINAL FOUR
LOCATION
McCombs Field, Austin
COAHOMA BULLDOGETTES
Coach - Alex Orosco
Record - 32-4-1
Region - I
State ranking - #5
How they got there - Coahoma defeated Holliday 5-1, 7-4.
MT. VERNON LADY TIGERS
Coach - Dana Bohlken
Record - 30-8-1
Region - II
State ranking - #8
How they got there - Beat Hughes Springs 11-1, 105.
FRANKLIN LADY LIONS
Coach - Jordon Lyle
Record - 36-4
Region - III
State ranking - #3
How they got there - Beat Lorena 8-0, 3-4, 4-2.
HALLESTIVILLE LADY BRAHMAS Coach - Callie Kresta
Record - 33-3
Region - IV
State ranking - #1
How they got there - Beat Bishop 4-3, 3-0
SCHEDULE
Wednesday June 1 – Game 1:Halletsville vs. Mt Vernon, 10 am.
Game 2: Coahoma vs. Franklin, 1 pm
Thursday, June 2 - Championship game, 1 p.m.