Shiner defeats Harleton to advance to state championship
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
by Chris Derrett, Victoria Advocate Sports
AdvoSports.com Article | 2A Softball SemiFinal Game Box Score | Shiner Softball | Shiner Comanche Sports Home Page
AUSTIN - Even though Shiner beat Harleton for the state championship last season, the Lady Comanches still had redemption planned for Wednesday's UIL Class 2A State Semifinal at Red & Charline McCombs Field at Texas-Austin - a rematch of the 2015 title game.
Shiner players gather to huddle with head coach Steven Cerny during the UIL Class 2A State Semifinals against Harleton in Austin on Wednesday (June 1, 2016).
[ click on any photo to enlarge ]all photos by Travis Harsch, special to the Advocate
"It's like I told them before the game - last year we won two close games, but we didn't do a very good job at the plate," said Shiner head coach Steven Cerny. "And that's what I challenged them with before the game, and they answered. They came up with some very big hits."
Shiner pounded Harleton 13-2 in a 10-run-rule-shortened, five-inning contest to advance to Thursday's state championship game. The Lady Comanches (30-5) had 11 hits - seven for extra bases - while Shiner starter Cece Darilek held the Lady Cats (33-5) to four hits in five innings.
The Lady Comanches will play Windthorst - which defeated Crawford 11-1 in five innings in the other semifinal - for the championship at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Shiner managed just four hits last year against Harleton ace Randi Carol Phillips. Phillips did not suit up Wednesday after leaving last week's regional finals with a leg injury.
"It's definitely a different (style) pitcher," said Shiner second baseman Lauren Schuette. "You've got to scoot up in the box a little because she's a little slower, but it's the same thought process up there. Just hit the ball."
Darilek was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Schuette went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Shiner pounced on Harleton starter Taitum Atkins, who threw six illegal pitches in the first inning as the Lady Comanches scored four runs in the frame.
Shiner's Cece Darilek winds up for a pitch against Harleton during the UIL Class 2A State Semifinals at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin on Wednesday (June 1, 2016).
[ click on any photo to enlarge ]
"(At) state, they're very strict about it, and it's nothing we can worry about," Darilek said. "We just had to play our game. I just had to make sure I was good (with the rule), and I've worked on it before."
With an illegal pitch and a throwing error each bringing in a Shiner run earlier in the first inning, Kori Landman's bloop double to right field pushed the Lady Comanches ahead 4-0.
Darilek helped break the game open in the second inning, smashing a two-RBI double to right center. Schuette followed with a two-RBI double off the tall left field wall, and Shiner led 8-0.
"When (Darilek) gets a hit almost every time she goes up, it makes you feel like, 'I need to do the same thing,'" Schuette said.
A double by Darilek and a single from Schuette added two more runs for Shiner in the top of the third.
Harleton got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third via an RBI-triple by Avery Underwood. Hailey Pyland later reached home on Morgan Underwood's steal of second base before Darilek closed out the inning with a lineout.
"My curveball was working really good for me today, and my changeup a little bit," Darilek said. "I'll probably work that more tomorrow."
Bethany Nevlud drove a low line drive to right center for a two-RBI triple in the fourth inning, and Nevlud scored on the play for a 13-2 lead after a throwing error by the right fielder.
Darilek's defense backed her up with only one error on the day. Kailey Williams punctuated the defensive effort by snagging a fly ball over her shoulder to end the game in the fifth.
"Practice, practice, practice," Schuette said. "Drills over and over again. Coach Cerny, he focuses on defense."
With the final out recorded, the Lady Comanches left the field the same way they began in the first - business as expected.
"Last year, we were pretty excited, and everyone was very pumped up and stuff," Darilek said. "This year, we were here last year, so everyone was more focused and more ready to play than last year."
Box Score
Class 2A State SemiFinal #2 - Wednesday, June 1, 2016 McCombs Field, University of Texas @ Austin Shiner 13, Harleton 2 Score by Innings 123 456 7 R H E ----------------------------------------- Shiner 442 30x x - 13 11 1 Harleton 002 00x x - 2 4 3 W - Cece Darilek, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 0 BB; L - Taitum Atkins, 5 IP, 10 ER, 11 H, 0 K, 7 BB. Highlights: (Shiner) Cece Darilek 3-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R; Lauren Schuette 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI; Bethany Nevlud 1-2, 3B, 2 RBI, 3 R; Mackinly Pilat 1-1, 4 R; Hannah Nevlud 1-3, R, 2B; Kailey Williams 1-4, RBI, R; Kori Landman 1-3, 2 RBI, 2B; Madison Jalufka 1-2, 2B. (Harleton): Avery Underwood 1-3, 3B, R, RBI; Hailey Pyland 1-3, 2B; Bree Knowlton 1-2; Aubrey Nixon 1-2, R. Records: Shiner 30-5, Harleton 33-5. Shiner advances to state championship vs. Windthorst. Complete UIL Box Score for 2A SemiFinal #2 Game
More State Semifinal #2 Game Photos
all photos by Travis Harsch, special to the Advocate
[ click on any photo to enlarge ][ see also the Shiner Gazette story with more State Softball Championship photos ]
Shiner shortstop Kailey Williams throws to first base to pick up an out against Harleton. Shiner's Kailey Williams, left, and Mackinly Pilat are all smiles at the end of the Lady Comanches' 13-2 win against Harleton in the UIL Class 2A State Semifinals in Austin on Wednesday (June 1, 2016). Shiner's Cece Darilek pitches against Harleton in the UIL Class 2A State Semifinals Wednesday (June 1, 2016) in Austin. 
Shiner's Madison Jalufka blasts a double to start the fourth inning of the UIL Class 2A State Semifinals against Harleton on Wednesday (June 1, 2016). Shiner's Bethany Nevlud tries to corral a throw as Harleton's Avery Underwood slides into the bag during the UIL Class 2A State Semifinals in Austin on Wednesday (June 1, 2016). Shiner's Kori Landman waits for the throw against Harleton during the UIL Class 2A State Semfinals in Austin on Wednesday (June 1, 2016).
Chris Derrett is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588 or cderrett@vicad.com
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