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Cindeka Nealy|Odessa American

Marfa pitcher Brittany Serrano crosses the plate with the Lady Shorthorns' fifth run on Saturday.

Softball: Lady Shorthorns try to make it past regional final barrier

May 26, 2009 10:03 PM

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BY LEE SCHEIDE

MIDLAND The Marfa High softball team was sitting in the grass in right field, equal parts of exhaustion and relief etched on the players' faces as they listened to head coach Linda Ojeda talk after the Lady Shorthorns had just capped a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Windthorst to capture the Region I-1A semifinal series.

As Ojeda talked, with the team relaxed around her for the first time in six hours, the talk was of composure, character and the perseverance needed to come back from a one-game deficit to reach the regional championship for the third consecutive season.

The Lady Shorthorns will face a different opponent this season as Forsan survived a three-game series against top-ranked Albany to advance.

Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at Monahans High School, with Game 2 scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Freddie Ezell Softball Complex in Midland. Game 3, if necessary, would be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.

Marfa is not unfamiliar with the Lady Buffaloes, having defeated them in three games in the 2008 regional quarterfinals.

"I wasn't with the program the last two years," said Ojeda, who replaced Ruth McWilliams at the helm of the program this season. "But we have a lot of players who have experience in this situation.

"It's great to see them work so hard and get back to the regional finals. But our goal is not just a regional championship, but to make it to the state championship."

To do that, the Lady Shorthorns are going to need another strong effort by pitcher Brittany Serrano, who dominated the Trojanettes over the final six innings Saturday to clinch the victory.

At the plate, Serrano, Cortnee White, Samantha Salgado, Myra Leos, Lora Leos and Erica Cruz are again going to need to respond with timely base hits to kickstart the Marfa offense.

Serrano, a junior who has been on the mound for each trip to the regional final, feels that this team is capable of taking the next step.

"We're playing well right now," Serrano said. "This will be our third time and we want to win this round and get to state; the last two years were learning experiences for us.

"After losing on Friday night and then coming back to win, it gives us a lot of confidence. I think we are ready to take the next step."

Forsan coach Shanna Roberts is hoping that the Lady Buffaloes, making the first regional final appearance in school history, are able to use their trademark defense to keep the Lady Shorthorns off the scoreboard.

Roberts relies on batterymates Amanda Longoria (pitcher) and Kelsey Jones (catcher) to produce on the field and at the plate.

Also stepping up their games this season have been outfielders Alex Pappajohn, Sandy Golleher and Haylie Burleson, all seniors who will be graduating after Saturday's contests.

Still, Roberts is sure that her team is going to be focused on the task at hand.

"I really think it's going to come down to defense," Roberts said. "Marfa is a good team and we are going to have to play well.

"But our team is excited, I'm excited and we all feel real confident about our chances."

Marfa vs. Forsan

>> What: Region I-1A softball final.

>> Game 1: 7 p.m. today at Monahans High School.

>> Game 2: 11 a.m. Saturday, Freddie Ezell Complex, Midland.

>> Game 3: 30 minutes following Game 2, if necessary.

MARFA'S REGIONAL RUNS

- 2009 Playoffs -

>> Bi-district: Bye.

>> Area:
Marfa 4, Tahoka 1.