Harleton Softball Falls To Shiner For Second Straight Year In State Tournament

AUSTIN -- Harleton's quest for a softball state championship will have to wait at least one more season following a 13-2, run-rule loss Wednesday in the Class 2A state semifinal round to Shiner at Red and Charline McCombs Field.

Shiner, which won the 2A state championship game against the Ladycats 363 days ago, advanced to play Windthorst at 3 p.m. Thursday in this season's title game. Windthorst run-ruled Crawford on the other side the bracket.

Shiner (30-5) took a 10-0 lead to the bottom of the third inning thanks largely to four-spots in the first and second frames. If it maintained a 10-or-more positive run margin through five complete innings, it would win the meeting without the sixth and seventh innings being played.

Avery Underwood got Harleton (33-5) out from under the run-rule threat with a one-out RBI triple in the bottom of the third and scored a run herself on a two-out double steal.

Bethany Nevlud connected for a 2-RBI triple in the fourth inning and scored during the sequence on a throwing error to re-establish the 10-run margin.

Harleton went scoreless in its shares of the fourth and fifth innings to end the game. Hailey Pyland was left stranded at second base as Shiner came onto the field to celebrate.

Cece Darilek earned the win in the circle. She allowed four Ladycats hits and five total base runners on 78 pitches.

Harleton's starting pitcher -- filling in for injured ace and junior Texas A&M commitment Randi Carol Phillips -- allowed 18 Shiner runners in the five-inning game on 11 hits and seven walks. Seven hits went for extra bases.

It was the starter's first loss of the season in seven starts.

Wednesday's loss marked the first time since 2013 Harleton failed to reach the state championship game. Weimar took the 2014 title against the Ladycats in a 4-3 walk off win prior to Shiner's victory last season.

Moran Bullock, Dekotah Hawk, Bree Knowlton and Morgan Underwood all played their final games in the state semifinal contest. Eight underclassmen are expected to return to the program next season.