Area softball teams have their eyes on Austin, state tournament
The UIL softball season is down to the final round before playoff teams look to clinch a spot in next week’s state tournament in Austin at the University of Texas.
Four area teams remain in the hunt for the chance at making history and hoisting up the championship trophy.
Birdville takes on Canyon in the 5A Region I final while Brock plays Peaster in the 3A Region II final. Crosstown rivals Keller and Keller Timber Creek will play a one-game series to determine 6A Region I.
Class 6A Region I
Keller vs. Timber Creek, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Saginaw Chisholm Trail. Weather permitting, with the backup field at Duncanville. If both are unplayable, the game will be moved to Prosper. If postponed Friday, the teams will play Saturday at 10 a.m.
Keller (29-7): The Indians have reached the regional quarterfinals in four consecutive years including back-to-back regional finals. They face a Timber Creek squad they swept this season 3-2 and 3-0. Keller, which is coming off a 2-1 series win over Lubbock Coronado including 16-2 in Game 3, is looking to get back to state for the first time since 2006.
Timber Creek (27-9): The Falcons are in their first regional final after not playing past the first round prior to this season. They rallied in Game 2 to complete the sweep over Wolfforth Frenship in the semifinals. Senior Kylee Foster (24-9) and Timber Creek have won seven of eight playoff games, and the Falcons have outscored playoff opponents 44-17.
Class 5A Region I
Birdville vs. Canyon at Midwestern State. Game 1, 7:30 p.m. Friday; Game 2, 4:30 p.m. Saturday; Game 3, to follow if necessary.
Birdville (26-10): The Hawks swept Canyon Randall in the semifinals 9-2 and 4-0. Junior Calie Burris (12-6) threw a five-hit shutout in Game 2 and hit home runs in both games. Freshman Grace Green (14-4) struck out 10 batters in Game 1. Birdville, in its second regional final (2012), looks for its first state appearance in program history.
Canyon (30-6): The Eagles swept Burleson Centennial to advance to their first regional final in program history. Sarah Bell had a home run with three RBIs in Game 1 and Cambry Hedger had a triple and three RBIs in Game 2. Canyon has won 12 of the past 13 games and has scored 85 runs in seven playoff games.
Class 3A Region II
Brock vs. Peaster at Glen Rose. Game 1, 6 p.m. Thursday; Game 2, 5 p.m. Friday; Game 3, to follow if necessary.
Brock (34-3): The Eagles are back in the regional finals for the first time since 2013 after rallying in both games to sweep Redwater 8-3 and 7-5. Riding a 17-game win streak — they haven’t lost since March 17 — the Eagles are looking to return to state for the first time since reaching the state finals in 2010. They swept the season series with Peaster 4-0 and 14-4.
Peaster (23-6): The Greyhounds snapped a 20-year playoff drought this season, sit in their first regional final and are two wins away from making the state tournament for the first time. They defeated Hooks in three games in the semifinals, and look to snap a four-game losing streak to Brock.
This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Area softball teams have their eyes on Austin, state tournament."