Greyhounds' state dreams come to disappointing halt

CORPUS CHRISTI — Getting to the Elite 8 was difficult for the San Benito Lady ‘Hounds, who navigated through four playoff rounds to reach the regional championship.

Unfortunately, playing against San Antonio O’Connor proved to be an insurmountable challenge.

After cranking out 17 hits in a Game 1 win Friday night, O’Connor followed it up with a 14-hit blister in Game 2, winning 16-0 in 5 innings on Saturday at Cabaniss Softball Complex.

The series sweep gave O’Connor (33-4) the Region IV-5A crown and a ticket to the UIL state softball tournament next weekend as one of the state’s final four teams. Meanwhile, San Benito’s historic season ends at 34-5. The Lady ‘Hounds were the first Valley team to compete in a regional final since the sport began in the mid-1990s.

"Our girls have nothing to be sad about. They (O’Connor) have a great ballclub," San Benito coach Elias Martinez said. "It didn’t end the way we would’ve liked, but these girls made history and I couldn’t be more prouder of them.

"This was the first San Benito team with 30 wins… I mean, there were so many positives from this season. That’s why we kept telling the girls to enjoy the ride. They’ll understand later how special this season was."

For O’Connor, starter Meagan Ramirez was more than efficient, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth and allowing just two base runners, both on walks.

To its credit, San Benito didn’t pack it in despite being down 16 after starter Amber Jasso left the game due to an injury and Kassandra Sanchez came on in emergency relief.

Sanchez singled up the middle in the fifth to break up Ramirez’s no-hit bid to a rousing applause from the scores of San Benito faithful in the stands. Then Dorothy Millan dropped in another for Lady ‘Hounds’ only two hits.

"Our girls never quit and they showed a lot of pride," Martinez said of his club. "Like I’d said before, they made the Valley proud, all of San Benito very proud and their parents proud."

The Lady Panthers once again jumped ahead early and posted big third and fourth big innings. Eight of the nine starters recorded hits and Taylor Vidrine and Maegan Ramirez each belted two home runs as part of seven extra base-hits. O’Connor led 3-0 after the first inning and the lead ballooned to 8-0 after three. And eight-run fourth slammed the door shut on the Region-IV title and the Panthers’ third state tourney trip under coach Anne Lewis.

The series was certainly not indicative of San Benito’s magical season. The Lady ‘Hounds took the 32-5A crown away from three-time defending champ Brownsville Porter before sweeping Harlingen, Eagle Pass Winn, Edinburg North and San Antonio Southwest to get to the Elite 8. The Lady ‘Hounds reached a Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A ranking of 14th and were the Valley’s No. 1 team for a good part of the season as well.

"These girls made history and they’re crying right now, but they’re good tears," Martinez said. "Nobody expected them to get here and do what they did."