Against the same team that sent them home last year, Santa Gertrudis Academy High School’s varsity softball team extracted some revenge while routing Woodsboro 11-2 in their one game 1A regional quarterfinal playoff held at Texas A&M-Kingsville this past Saturday.

The Lions amassed 16 hits while taking advantage of Woodsboro’s 11 errors.

Carla Noel (winning pitcher) allowed one run, six hits and struck out seven batters while throwing a complete game.

The Lions scored a run in the first inning, two in the third, five in the fifth and three in the seventh. Igniting the Lions’ charge was Ashley Perez who belted a big hit early.

“It was a close game at the beginning but our girls were ready for Meagan Carter who is a good pitcher for Woodsboro,” Head Coach Olinda Salazar said. “But I knew we were going to do well when Ashley went to bat for the first time and hit a triple. After that the girls kept hitting and hitting.”

Academy allowed some scoring opportunities to slip away but made up for it in the fifth inning.

“We had the bases loaded twice with no outs but we were not able to bring anyone in,” Salazar said, “But we came back in the fifth inning and were able to get all of those runs in so we did well.”

The Lions now face Flatonia in a best-ofthree game regional semifinal series to be hosted in Goliad.

Game One is at 7 p m. on Thursday. Game Two is at 7 p.m. on Friday. Game Three - if necessary - will be at 6 p m. on Saturday.

“Flatonia has a good pitcher and their base runners are quick,” Salazar said. “Last time I checked, they had successfully stolen base 72 times out of eightysomething attempts this season so they have good runners,” Salazar said. “Our job will be in trying to keep them off the bases, and if they get on then we need to get them out as soon as possible.”

Academy previously ejected Bracket from the playoffs at area after winning the District 32-A title with a 14-0 record. The Lions (22-5 overall) now approach the sweet sixteen jungle.

“We’re so close and yet so far away while the teams at this level are much better,” Salazar said. “Woodsboro is a good team that made several errors against us that they normally don’t. I expect another good game against Flatonia, I’ve only heard good things about them.”