Baseball, softball teams continue playoffs

Junior+Keith+Contreras+runs+a+base+at+the+April+2+game+against+Lubbock+Estacado.

Kayce Nelson

Junior Keith Contreras runs a base at the April 2 game against Lubbock Estacado.

The varsity baseball and softball teams will compete this Friday and Saturday in their playoff runs.

The softball team will compete against Decatur today in the Regional Semifinal Championship in a one game match-up at 1 p.m. in Hermleigh. The baseball team will face Pampa at Hodgetown today in the Regional Quarterfinals at 7 p.m as part of a three-game series. The teams will play game two at Hodgetown Saturday at 12 p.m. followed by game three if necessary. The baseball team earned the title Area Champions after defeating Andrews in game two last week.

It was closer than we expected. But then something just came alive in the last inning.

— Keith Contreras, 11

“The game was a little stressful in the beginning,” junior Keith Contreras said. “It was closer then we expected. But then something just came alive in the last inning.”

Contreras said for the upcoming game against Pampa the team is looking at it like any other game.

“They have this one pitcher that’s supposed to be very good,” Contreras said. “I haven’t seen him, but I don’t think there’s anything we can’t handle as a team.”

Hodgetown also houses San Diego Padre’s double-A affiliate, the Amarillo Sodpoodles.

“It’s definitely the biggest stage I’ve ever played on,” Contreras said. “I don’t know about all the other guys, but we’re pretty excited about it.”

More importantly we have to hit because it’s a hitting game. If we don’t put the bat on the ball there’s no way to score.

— Candain Callahan, 12

The softball team was named quarterfinal champions after defeating Dumas in game three.

“The second game anything and everything that could have gone wrong went wrong,” senior Candain Callahan said. “We lost that game but we came back on Saturday. It was either you can get the job done and win, or your season’s on the line and you go home.”

Unlike the past playoff series, coach Nicole Coffee and the head coach from Decatur opted to play a one-game playoff.

“We have to stay tight on the infield and can’t have any errors,” Callahan said. “More importantly we have to hit because it’s a hitting game. If we don’t put the bat on the ball there’s no way to score. As long as we stay tight offensively and defensively and have the right mentality, we’ll be on the right track.”