Feb 07, 2012
Bechtle's blast gives Lady Oilers district crown
April 27, 2010
PEARLAND — The Pearland Lady Oilers entered their league showdown with Deer Park needing a victory to win the District 22-5A championship outright. Despite a perfect 12-0 mark, the Lady O's had a share of the district title secure, but head coach Laneigh Clark and her girls didn't want to share the championship with anyone else.
Deer Park (22-9, 10-3) was only two games back when they came to Pearland, but they returned home with a very close 1-0 loss. The game was decided with one swing as senior Jacyln Bechtle blasted a home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the fourth inning. There was no doubt when Bechtle hit the 3-1 pitch that the ball was out of the park as the Deer Park left fielder just watched the ball clear the fence without any problem.
Pearland threatened to score in the bottom of the third when Jessica Bowden hit a triple with one out. But the next two hitters were retired to end the inning.
Meanwhile, Bowden was throwing a pitching gem of her own as she retired the first 13 batters she faced until Courtney Mills got an infield single in the top of the fifth, but was left stranded.
The Lady Deer left two runners on base in the top of the sixth and one runner in the seventh as Bowden got out of each inning without a mark.
The Lady O's were limited to only two hits as Bechtle and Bowden were the only ones to hit safely.
Bowden gave up four hits to Deer Park with 12 strikeouts and no walks. Deer Park's Alyssa Rangel fanned 12 Lady Oilers with the two-hitter while also issuing no free passes.
Dobie 3 - Pearland 2
If the loss to Dobie is an indication of what happened last year, then the Pearland Lady Oilers should be in good shape.
In 2009 - Pearland entered the final game of district play against Dobie. With the district title already a wrap, the Lady O's were playing merely for momentum into the playoffs.
Someone forgot to tell Dobie as the Lady Longhorns scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to get the 4-0 win.
That set off a playoff run that didn't end until the Lady Oilers lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Smithson-Valley in the 5A state championship game.
It seems that lightening struck twice as the Lady Longhorns edged the Lady O's 3-2 in the final district game though Pearland (28-4-1) still won the District 22-5A crown and will now prepare to defend their 5A Region III title.
Pearland got only five hits including a home run by Jaclyn Bechtle giving her two straight games with a roundtripper.
Jessica Bowden took the loss after giving up seven hits in the 3-2 loss.
Pearland finishes 13-1 in league play while Dobie closes with an 11-3 mark. Both teams advance to the playoffs while Deer Park and Pasadena Memorial also move on to the post-season form 22-5A.
Playoff Schedule
The Pearland Lady Oilers will face the Baytown Lee Lady Ganders on Monday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Deer Park in the 5A bi-district contest.. It will be a one-game showdown with the winner advancing to the area round.
