MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas-A regional championship and berth to the 3A state softball tournament will be decided by familiar foes today.
Hughes Springs, the defending Region II-3A champion, and New Boston, making its first appearance in the regional finals in 13 years, meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Region II-3A final with the title and a trip to the state tournament on the line.
"Our motto all year has been 'Unfinished Business,'" Lady Mustangs coach Tisha Thompson said. "Our goal all year has been to get back to where we were last year, and they've been playing with a purpose. This group does what we ask of them and what's expected."
Dating back to junior high, the current Hughes Springs seniors have been with Thompson for six years, four playing softball at the varsity level.
The Mustangs (28-3) have played just four playoff games, losing the coin flip for a series versus a single-elimination game in every round. However, Hughes Springs, which has won five in a row since a warmup loss to North Lamar and winner of 19 of its last 20, has responded in the playoffs by 10-run ruling all four previous opponents this spring, including a 14-2 win over Pilot Point last week in the regional quarterfinals.
The Lady Lions (23-8) have swept all four of its postseason opponents, including taking down Howe, 9-2 and 10-0 last week. New Boston has won 10 games in a row, dating to an 11-6 loss to Hughes Springs during District 14-3A play, and won 16 of its last 17.
"I believe we're playing our best at the right time; it's been a steady climb throughout the season, and we've concentrated on getting our max reps in," said B.J. Brown, in his first year in charge of the New Boston softball program. "It all starts in the circle, when the pitcher is in the strike zone, the defense is heightened because they know the ball is going to come to them.
"That carries over to the offense, and we've been having good swings at the plate."
The Mustangs swept the district series between the teams, the only losses the Lions absorbed in league play.
"The first game we played in a different manner because of the score; I expect this game to be a lot closer," Thompson said. "It's going to be a pitchers' duel. They'll rely on (Morgan) McAlexander to strike us out, and we have to be disciplined enough to not let that happen.
"The two biggest keys will be us having a good outing by our two pitchers (Zoe Lanier and Marisol Kennedy) and getting on the scoreboard early to set the tone."
The starting pitcher for the Mustangs will be a game-day decision between either Lanier or Kennedy, who starts at third when not in the circle. Other defensive starters will include Kennedi Northam behind the plate, Shelbie Fickling at first base, Abbye McKinney at second, Kensley Echols at third or designated player, and Haylee Wilson at shortstop.
Hughes Springs' outfield features Pearl Perry in right, Peyton Blythe in center and Charlie Reeves in left.
Morgan McAlexander starts in the circle for the Lions, and Angel Evans handles the catching. McKenzee Thomas will start at first base, Alaysia Henderson at second, Lauren Hurst at third and Carlee Ratcliff at shortstop.
The New Boston outfield includes Haley McAlexander in left, Grace Duffer in center and Alexis Morden in right.
"Hughes Springs' girls know the game," Brown said. "Their players expect to compete at a high level and they've been down this road before," Brown said. "The key for us will be to stay steady. We can't get too excited when things go right, and we can't get down if things don't go our way.
"Hughes Springs has the ability to put the ball in play; we need to match them toe to toe. I think it's going to be a very good softball game."