LONGVIEW, Texas-Pleasant Grove's march into the Texas Class 4A playoffs continues this afternoon with the first two games of a best-of-three area round series with Ferris at LeTourneau University.
Both teams captured bi-district titles last week. Pleasant last week eliminated Gladewater, 7-1. That was supposed to be a best-of-three, but the final games were washed out.
Game 1 starts at 4 p.m. Game 2 about two hours later. Game 3, if needed, is at 11 Saturday morning.
Pleasant Grove, which returned seven starters from a team that reached the state semifinals in 2015, has won 9 of its last 10 playoff games. The Lady Hawks stayed in or near the coaches' Top 10 all season using a simple formula, salty starting pitching, slick defense and power in the middle of the lineup.
They'll need all three to get by Ferris, winners of five of its last six.
"We're going to have to get another strong outing by (pitcher) Madison (Haltom)," PG coach Blake Worley said. "She's had some good bullpen sessions this week and she's feeling good. She's going to keep us in most games."
At some point in the series, Worley will hand the ball to freshman Kristen Key, who has shown power and control when spelling the senior ace.
The Hawk lineup has found its stroke in the last month, with shortstop Kimmie Atienza, third baseman Faith Lipham, catcher Brette Wacha, and right fielder Khadijah Oritola all going yard on opponents. In a pair of games that sealed PG's first-ever district championship, Lipham had a pair of walk-off homers.
The balance of the lineup is also producing quality at-bats. That includes senior center fielder Carley Barrett and three talented freshmen: left fielder Hannah Snyder, first baseman Emily Hilton, and Key, who starts at second.
"This is strongest batting lineup I've had in the nine years I've been associated with Pleasant Grove softball," Worley said. "This is a bunch of gamers. They're team players, they're competitive, and they never quit."
TEAMS: Pleasant Grove (22-2, 1st Place 15-4A) vs. Ferris (14-11-1, 3rd place 13-4A)
SITE, TIME: Today 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at at LeTourneau University. Game 3, if needed, Saturday, 11 a.m.
AT STAKE: Class 4A Area Championship
NEXT ROUND: Winner of Bullard vs. Brownsboro in regional quarterfinal
RADIO: Game 3 only. 1400 AM KTKK 10:30 a.m. Saturday