Brazoswood doubles up Pearland to advance

Brazoswood turned the tables on Pearland on Saturday, overcoming a one-game series deficit with a pair of wins at Dawson.

The Bucs (33-6) used 7-2 and 5-3 victories to advance to next weekend’s 5A Region III round against Bellaire.

When the two teams met in last year’s regional quarterfinals, it was Brazoswood that took the first game of the series before dropping two.

“It was weird because last year we won (game one) on our field,” Bucs coach Laura Oltman said. “This year, we lost on our field and that is not a good feeling. Our kids stepped it up. I’m amazed.”

Sarah DeCarolis provided key hits in both wins.

Brazoswood overcame a 1-0 deficit in the opening game when DeCarolis slapped a two-run single with two outs in the third inning.

The Bucs used an infield hit and two walks to load the bases in the first inning of the deciding contest, setting a stage for DeCarolis to power a grand slam over the right field fence.

“What an incredible moment for that kid,” Oltman said. “She works so hard, so I was so excited to see that happen.”

Pearland refused to go down quietly, getting RBI hits from Samantha Show and Kristen Cuyos in the first and a solo homerun by Show in the third to pull the Oilers within 4-3.

The Oilers missed a chance to tie the game in the fifth when right fielder Kelby Lanier connected with catcher Kellye Kincannon to throw out pinch runner Heaven Benavidez at the plate following a single by Rylie Spell.

Brazoswood got a bit of breathing room in the top of the seventh on Bethany Partlon’s solo home run.

“That was huge,” Oltman said. “It allowed us a bit of flexible to pitch to Show (in the bottom of the seventh).” Steven Thomson is a freelance writer.