MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas-Hooks gave Cooper all it could handle.
Left-hander Marena Estell (19-3) pitched a 1-hitter over five innings, struck out nine and walked one as the Lady Hornets thrashed Cooper, 11-0, in a Region II-3A bi-district softball playoff Thursday at Northeast Texas Community College. Estell was also 4 for 4 with two triples, a double and a single.
"Marena showed great presence in the circle," Hooks head coach Neal Kiser said. "She was hitting her spots, and she took care of business."
Hooks (26-3-1), the District 14-3A runner-up, won the single-game playoff and will play Harmony (12-3-1) or Ore City (8-10) in next week's area round. Harmony, the 15-3A champion, won the first game Thursday in the best-of-three series, 3-0. The second game, and third if necessary, will be played Saturday.
Hooks jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first frame. Kenley Kyles laced a single to center and stole second base. Estell followed with a triple to left center to score Kyles. Estell scored on a passed ball.
"The team did awesome," Kiser said. "We want to get the bats going early and that's exactly what they did."
Kyles smashed a line drive to third for a single in the second frame. Estell hammered a triple to left field to score Brandi Hout, who reached on a fielder's choice, and Kyles to make it 4-0 in favor of the Hornets after two innings.
Hooks' Korey Brooks singled to third, and Rachel Lattimer followed with a single through the hole at short in the third stanza.
Abby Russ hit a run-scoring single to left to make it 5-0. Kaylee Pope reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Madison Whisenhunt swatted a 2-run single to right to give the Hornets a 7-0
lead after three.
Hooks added three more runs in the fourth. Estell singled and stole second and third. Sidney Pardue walked and stole second. Estell scored on a fielder's choice, and Pardue scored on a wild pitch.
Russ smashed a solo homer to put Hooks up 10-0 after four innings.
Estell cracked a double to left center in the fifth, and the next batter, Pardue, ripped a run-scoring double to left to give the Hornets an 11-0 advantage after five.
Estell silence the Lady Bulldogs in the fifth as the game was called after 5 innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Hooks 223 31 - 11 14 0
Cooper 000 00 - 0 1 0
Game called after 5 innings, 10-run rule
Marena Estell and Abby Russ. Hannah Warner and Sara Veraska. WP-Estell (19-3). LP-Warner. HR: Hooks-Abby Russ, 4th, none on.