For the fourth time in as many seasons, the Whitesboro softball team will compete in the region final round.
The Lady Cats punched their fourth consecutive ticket to the Elite Eight with a two-game sweep of White Oak last week. Whitesboro (28-9) won by the scores of 14-4 and 5-4.
The Lady Cats now turn their attention to Mineola, who they face in a best-of-three series at Caddo Mills High School. Game One took place at 6 p.m. Thursday with Game Two being at 6 p.m. today and Game Three at 1 p.m. Saturday if necessary.
GAME ONE
WHITESBORO 14, WHITE OAK 4
A seven-run explosion in the top of the second inning lifted Whitesboro to a 14-4 victory over White Oak May 7. The Lady Cats pelted out 12 hits and took advantage of four Lady Roughneck errors.
After surrendering three runs in the bottom of the first, Whitesboro came to life in the top of the second. The Lady Cats scored seven runs on four hits, two walks and two errors with Aubree Bruce and Jenna Cole recording RBI singles, and Breighlin Rupert hitting a three-run double to put their team on top, 7-3.
After giving up a run in the bottom of the second. Whitesboro struck again in the top of the third. Bruce walked and Fallon Perkins hit a single before Avery Howerton launched a three-run home run over the left field fence to increase the Lady Cats lead to 10-4.
Whitesboro added two more runs in the top of the fifth. Cameron Ortiz hit an RBI triple and Rupert followed with an RBI single to increase the lead to 12-4.
The Lady Cats added to the lead in the top of the seventh. Ortiz hit a leadoff double and Rupert followed with a two-run home run to cap the scoring.
Rupert (3-4, BB, 2B, HR, 6 RBI) was the game’s top hitter, while Cole (2-5) and Ortiz (2-4, BB, 2B, 3B, RBI) also had multiple hits. Bruce (1-3, BB, RBI), Howerton (1-2, 3 BB, HR, 3 RBI), Perkins (1-3, BB), Reagan Downs (1-4, RBI) and Kaydence Thomas (1-4) also contributed.
Howerton dominated in the pitcher’s circle as well. She struck out 11 while giving up four runs on five hits.
GAME TWO
WHITESBORO 5, WHITE OAK 4
Whitesboro rallied from a 4-2 deficit to claim the series with a 5-4 victory last Friday. After stringing together three consecutive singles, White Oak took a 4-2 lead after three innings.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the fifth. Thomas hit a two-run double to tie the game at 4.
The Lady Cats seized the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Howerton was intentionally walked with one out and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on a double from Ortiz.
After giving up a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh, Howerton retired the next three batters in order to clinch the series. The Texas Tech signee struck out nine batters while giving up four runs on seven hits.
The Lady Roughnecks scored a run in the top of the first before Ortiz hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the frame to put Whitesboro up 2-1. Ortiz was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
Cole (2-3) also had multiple hits for the Lady Cats. Thomas (1-3, 2 RBI) and Kennedi Fuller (1-3) also contributed at the plate, while Howerton was walked on all four of her plate appearances.