Back-to-back fifth-inning home runs from Ganado Maidens Rhylee Green and Michaela Estrada gave the Maidens a commanding lead in the Regional Semi-Final playoffs against Thorndale.
In total, the Maidens picked up 13 hits in the 9-1 win that sent them to their second State Semi-Finals.
Leadoff hitter Laci Holt set the tone for the Maidens all night with three hits, and three steals but Ganado held a slim 3-0 lead as they moved into the fifth inning.
Green, who entered the game as a pinch runner in the fourth inning, had the biggest hit of the game when she crushed a three-run homer which moved the Maidens to a 6-0 lead. Estrada came in as a pinch hitter after Green’s home run and matched her, as she crushed a homer of her own.
Maidens Kyla Stancik and Raelynn Peters both tripled in the game to add to Ganado’s extra base hit total.
In the circle, Junior Saylor Bures had another dominating performance, allowing two hits and picking up her 700 career strikeouts in the process.
Ganado (31-2-1) will face Groveton (30-8-2) as the Maidens head to their second consecutive State Semi-Finals.
The State Semi Finals will be played Wednesday, May 20, at 6, Thursday, May 21 at 6, and Saturday, May 23 at 3, if necessary, at Cy-Fair High School.
Regional Finals
Thorndale 1 - Ganado 9 Laci Holt 3 hits, RBI, 3 steals; Kyla Stancik 3 hits, triple, 1 RBI; Raelynn Pena 2 hits; Rhylee Green 1 homerun, 4 RBI’s; Michaela Estrada 1 homerun, 1 RBI; Reaelynn Peters 1 triple, 1 RBI; Kayln Benavides 1 hit, 1 RBI; Avery Torres 1 double; Hallie Bures 1 steal; Morgan Tovar 1 steal; Saylor Bures 7 innings, 3 hits, 1 earned run, 9 strikeouts.
