Playoff softball is in full swing across the Panhandle, and area teams delivered a mix of late-inning drama and dominant run production in the regional quarterfinals. From walk-off heroics to lopsided sweeps, several squads punched their tickets to the next round with momentum on their side.
West Plains gets by El Paso Ysleta
In a competitive series, West Plains secured a two-game sweep of El Paso Ysleta during the UIL Class 4A Division I regional quarterfinal round Thursday and Friday in Monahans.
West Plains handled Ysleta in Thursday’s opener, 14-4, but the Lady Wolves were pushed to the limit in the second game, escaping with a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory to complete the sweep.
With the score tied 5-5 entering the bottom of the seventh, Emory Chandler delivered the decisive blow, ripping a double down the left-field line to score Ivanna Zuniga for the game-winning run. Chandler finished 2-for-4 in the clincher.
Pitcher Jaylen Kaps played a pivotal role in both wins. She tossed a complete game in the opener, allowing three runs while striking out 11. In the second game, Kaps entered early and worked 6.1 innings, surrendering three runs and striking out 10 more.
West Plains (25-11) advances to face Springtown (24-10) in a best-of-three series beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday at Abilene Christian University.
Canyon pummels Clint
Canyon left little doubt in its regional quarterfinal matchup, overwhelming Clint in a dominant two-game sweep Thursday and Friday in Hobbs, N.M.
The Lady Eagles outscored Clint 38-0 across the series, cruising to a 23-0 victory in the opener before finishing the job with a 15-0 shutout.
In Game 1, Isabella Quintanilla led the offensive surge with two doubles and three RBIs. Faith McGuire followed up in the clincher with a home run and a double, also driving in three runs.
Canyon (24-13) now turns its attention to Brock (21-9) in a best-of-three regional semifinal series starting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Lubbock Christian University.
Randall rolls past El Paso Riverside
Randall’s offense stayed red-hot in a commanding sweep of El Paso Riverside, winning 20-7 and 20-5 in the UIL Class 4A Division II regional quarterfinals.
The Lady Raiders racked up 24 hits over the two games, showcasing depth throughout the lineup. Emily Cuellar led the charge, going 5-for-8 with five RBIs, while Kaley Wiseman added two doubles and three RBIs in the second game.
Randall (28-8) advances to face Snyder (23-9-2) in a best-of-three series beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at Lubbock-Cooper Liberty High School.
Bushland edges Brownfield in tight series
Bushland survived a pair of nail-biters to sweep Brownfield in the UIL Class 3A Division I regional quarterfinals Wednesday in Plainview.
The Lady Falcons claimed a 7-6 win in the opener before closing out the series with a 10-9 victory.
Kylee Jordan paced Bushland in Game 1, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. In the second game, Piper Francis delivered a highlight moment with a three-run inside-the-park home run.
