HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Permian run rules Odessa High 14-0

Considering the way the first meeting went between the Permian and Odessa High softball teams, the second edition of the crosstown showdown was expected to be a classic.

However, the Permian Lady Panthers played with lots of intensity to come out on top 14-0 in five innings over the Odessa High Lady Bronchos on Saturday afternoon at the Ratliff Softball Complex.

Permian won the district title outright to clinch the top seed.

The Lady Panthers will take on El Paso Americas, the fourth seed out of District 1-6A, in a best-of-three series in the bi-district round. Game 1 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Sul Ross in Alpine. Game 2 of the series will begin 10 a.m. Saturday in Alpine.

Offense has played a major role in Permian’s success throughout the season. The bats came out and executed to perfection, while the defense followed up right behind it.

“Us coming up on top of a great team really helps our momentum going forward,” Permian head coach Kristin Williams said. “And hitting the ball is what you go to do, and they did it really well, so I was really proud of them.”

In the first inning, Permian sent 10 batters to the plate. Hunter Harkrider and Audrey Garcia each had an RBI double in the big six-run frame. Rylee Day and Alexis Morales added to the big rally with a pair of RBI singles.

Odessa High did not tally a hit until the third inning. They had one base runner in the first two innings as Abigale Rayos drew a walk in the top of the first, but she was left stranded.

Morales retired five hitters in a row before Alyssa Deanda broke up the no-hit bid in the top of the third with a single.

The Lady Panthers (27-1, 9-1 District 2-6A) kept their foot on the accelerator. Shadie Davis delivered a two-run home run in the bottom of the second to spark a four-run inning. Garcia had a clutch two-RBI single in the rally to extend Permian’s lead to 10-0.

Davis hit her second home run of the game in the bottom of the third to make the score 12-0. Morales retired her final six batters in order to keep the Lady Bronchos’ offense at bay.

Permian tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth after an RBI single by Day and a throwing error by the shortstop. Davis finished 2 for 3 with two homers, a walk and four RBIs.

“It feels good for all of us. I couldn’t do it without my teammates. I love my teammates,” Davis said. “I couldn’t ask for better ones, and it took every single one of us, people in the stands, our coaches and all the days of practice.”

Garcia went 2 for 3 with a single, double and three RBIs. Morales finished 3 for 3 with a single, two doubles and an RBI.

Morales threw a two-hitter with four strikeouts. Day finished 3 for 3 with three singles and two RBIs. Deanda and Kaylean Ayala each went 1 for 2 for Odessa High.

The Lady Bronchos (21-6-1, 6-4) will play El Paso Socorro at 7 p.m. Friday to begin a best-of-three series in the bi-district round in El Paso. Game 2 of the series will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in El Paso.

“I’m a little disappointed in our execution,” Odessa High head coach Rachel Pena said. “I don’t think it was lack of effort or energy. We just didn’t execute today.

“Lots (of) people (played) out of position. That kind of hurt us. I was hoping it wouldn’t be noticeable, but it was. That’s OK. We have time to work those people in those positions.”

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