By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
When the Hebron softball team takes the field on Thursday night – the Hawks will see a familiar opponent in the opposite dugout.
The Hawks (28-12) take on district rival Flower Mound (26-8-1) in a 1-game playoff for the Region 1 Final in Class 6A D1. The winner advances to the state semifinals.
First pitch is set for 7 pm at LD Bell.
“We’ve played them twice in district so it’s going to be a competitive game,” senior pitcher Kate Buesing said after Hebron won Game 3 against Timber Creek in the regional semifinals. “I have confidence in my team and we have a spark right now so I hope we keep it lit.”
Another win for Hebron and the program will clinch just its second berth in the state semifinals – first since 2010.
But the Hawks will have to snap a 4-game losing skid against Flower Mound. The Jaguars reached the semis last season before losing to eventual state champ Waco Midway in 3 games.
Despite losing both 5-6A contests this season, Hebron lost both games by 1 run (7-6, 2-1). In the first meeting, Buesing, a Southern Nazarene signee, allowed just 2 earned runs, but a 5-run first inning was the difference for the Jags. Abby Chunn and Lilly Pirrello both homered for the Hawks, who did have the game-tying run on base in the seventh.
Buesing allowed 5 hits and struck out 5 in the second meeting, but did hold Flower Mound scoreless in 6 of 7 innings. Her counterpart, sophomore Bella Flores, who also pitched in the first game, allowed just 3 hits and punched out 7.
“It’s going to be tough, we face them all the time, but it’s going to be a battle,” Hebron coach Chelsea Bunjovac said. “Bella has been able to hold it down on the mound against us and their offense is extremely fast so our defense will need to be on top of our game. The difference will be just finding ways to drive in our runners when they’re in a position to score. Our offense will really need to produce some runs.”
Through 3 rounds of the playoffs, Hebron has gone the distance every series with 9 games under its belt. The Hawks are 4-0 in elimination games, shutting out Allen and South Grand Prairie in Game 3s and then coming back to beat Timber Creek after dropping Game 1.
Buesing, who has pitched every inning of the playoffs, comes into Thursday’s game with a 0.25 ERA, 13 hits allowed, 2 walks and 34 strikeouts in 28 innings during 4 elimination games.
Buesing struck out 17 in Game 2 and 3 vs Timber Creek (5-1, 5-3).
“We do it all for each other not just ourselves and we’re competing for our teammates. We’re close and connected, and our bond is helping us get through all these games,” she said. “I go to the trainers every morning and just keep my body healthy, making sure I have my best for my team.”
Added Bunjovac, “Kate is a workhorse. Not only has she thrown every game and every inning for us in the playoffs, she’s working outside of high school, going to the trainers, staying hydrated and plus she wants it. She wants to go as far as we can and when you have a pitcher like that – that doesn’t give up on her team, she doesn’t shut down. It’s her mentality that’s been carrying us through the playoffs.”
Flower Mound is 5-0 overall this postseason – with one elimination game, a 10-0 win over Arlington Martin in the area round.
