Brahmarettes claim 2A title
Haley Dawson scores only run in 1-0 win over Coahoma
By MIKE KONVICKA sports@leader-news.com

Photo contributed by Terrell Jessen Making a tag East Bernard first baseman Brittney Wilcox tags out a Coahoma runner during Saturday's Class 2A State Championship game. The Brahmarettes beat the Bulldogettes 1-0.

AUSTIN - East Bernard's Haley Dawson came home on a wild pitch in the top of the first inning in Saturday afternoon's Class 2A state championship softball game against Coahoma at Red McCombs Field on The University of Texas at Austin campus.

That's all the Brahmarettes needed to win the game 1-0 before a partisan East Bernard crowd of 1,100.

"I thought we would do what we needed to win and if that was going to be the run that's fine," Dawson said.

"We didn't feel any pressure because we knew Repka would get in and do her job."

She was referring to pitcher Courtney Repka, who struck out 13 batters and gave up an infield hit in the seventh.

"She's an amazing pitcher," Dawson said. "She did what she needed to do and we helped her out defensively."

The inning started when Liz Reyes walked. Dawson then reached on a bunt single and Samantha Wasek was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

With Repka in the batter's box, Coahoma pitcher Heather Newton uncorked a wild pitch. Catcher Janice Gonzales ran to the backstop to retrieve the ball and then tagged out Reyes at the plate.

Dawson moved up to third and Wasek advanced to second.

Newton threw another wild pitch and Dawson scored.

Wasek went to third but Newton came back to strike out Repka and Paula Lopez.

Coahoma's lone threat to tie the game came in the sixth inning.

Shelbi Paige led off with a walk and advanced to second on a ground ball to first by Berkely Iden. Paige went to third when Alex Moore struck out. Repka then fanned Newton to end the inning.

Krista Kerby broke up Repka's nohitter to lead off the seventh. Gonzales tried to lay down a bunt but popped out to first baseman Brittney Wilcox.

Wilcox then snagged a soft liner off the bat of Laci Sterling and Repka struck out Christie Rich to end the game.

Repka was selected the tournament's Most Valuable Player after she struck out 13 and walked three in the title game. The strike outs gave her 342 on the season and 1,012 in her career.

Repka took the championship in stride.

"We were just going to do our thing," Repka said, who fell behind in counts throughout the game. "I just battled back and came back to get them. They got runners on base but didn't score."

Wasek didn't think one run would win the game.

"I wasn't sure but I didn't want it to," Wasek said. "I thought it would be ironic since they won their first game by that score.

"During the sixth and seventh inning it got pretty stressful, but we did it. I'm so happy."

EB coach Amy Bush said attitude was a positive for her squad.

"I think coming out and being ready to play and not being scared that you were here was important for us," the coach said. "That's the kind of team that we've been all year and the fact that didn't change says a lot about our kids. That's East Bernard kids in general."

East Bernard came through what most considered the toughest region in the state, Region IV.

The Brahmarettes beat Industrial in a first round bi-district contest. They swept then No. 1 ranked Franklin in a best of three area round series and then beat Rosebud-Lott 3-2. After losing the opening game of their regional playoff to Yorktown 3-2, EB battled back to win the next two by identical 1-0 scores and swept No. 1 Poth in a pair of 2-0 games to earn the state berth.

"Our region prepares you for games like this," Bush said.

Repka finished the playoffs with 44 innings pitched without allowing an earned run.

"That's what makes Courtney special," Bush said. "I'm just glad that we were able to string a group of kids together that could put her on a pedestal like this."

"For them to raise the stakes like that,thatsaysaalotabouthersupp orting cast. I'm just happy for the kids and it's special for them. It's big for the whole community. Nothing intimidated or scared these girls."

Bush praised the fans for their support.

"It's East Bernard and you know how the fans are," Bush said. "This is what makes the kids want to play. It's just amazing."

East Bernard totaled eight hits in the game and stranded as many runners.

Wilcox singled with one out in the top of the second. After Laura Kubes flied out, Cameron Kieler singled. Kubes was tagged out between short and third on a ground ball by Reyes.

Coahoma got it's first base runner in the third when Berkely Iden walked with one out. Alex Moore hit a flare to Wasek at third. Iden went to second and was doubled off first on a throw from Wasek to Wilcox.

East Bernard left runners on second and third in the fourth.

Paula Lopez singled and Anna Giannetti popped out to third. Brittney Wilcox reached on a fielding error. Both runners moved up on a ground ball to second by Kubes but Kieler struck out to end the inning.

Kerby walked with one out in the bottom of the inning but was erased at second on a perfect throw from Reyes to Dawson at second. Gonzales grounded out to end the inning.

"I knew what I had to do and get it done," Wilcox said," referring to recording the first two outs of the seventh.

"I loved getting this medal placed around my neck."