Knights get in some playoff shots before succumbing to Panthers

Despite trailing on the scoreboard, Knights keep their spirit and effort levels high, which ultimately pay off with a productive final inning

Ale Luera

The Knights may have been outmatched, but they weren’t intimidated, and they scrapped for positive plays until the final out, not only thwarting a perfect game but scoring two runs before the victorious Panthers could end the final inning.

A week ago today, the softball team competed in the 5A UIL State softball playoffs, losing to the Pflugerville Panthers, 16-2, in a game that was moved from Pflugerville to Georgetown’s East View High School because East View has a turf field and the weather last weekend (as we know from other Mac events) called for crazy rain.

Beating the Panthers is going to be a tall order for any 5A playoff opponent. Pflugerville came into the Friday game as the 18-5A co-district champs after going 13-1 in a tough district, their best season in more than a decade. And they were hungry, seeking their first playoff win in seven years.

Junior Max Zarzoza, shown her at a after-school practice session on April 22, broke up a no-hitter with a fifth-inning single and ended a shut out bid by coming around to score Mac’s first run. Photo by Dave Winter.

But enough about Pflugerville.

The angle here is that given the quality of opponent that the Knights faced in their opening playoff round, it would have been easy, understandable even, for them to pack it in early; instead, the Knights competed throughout the entire game and until the final out was recorded. 

“The score doesn’t reflect how well we did in the game,” said senior outfielder Naya Domingo, who was relegated to spectator status due to injury. “Our coaches said that it was really the first time that we felt like a team and I completely agree with that. Our energy started high and stayed high. We were cheering each other on and we played well despite the score.”

Through four innings, Panther pitcher Delilah Robles was working on a perfect game, and she needed just three outs in the fifth inning to earn the no-hitter, the shutout and send her team to the next round. And with the rain clouds threatening, she was motivated to make that happen.

Did Mac mail it in? Nah.

Junior Max Zarzoza started the inning with a no-no killing single then advanced to third on two passed balls. Senior Caroline Cox then ended the shutout with an RBI double, then she too advanced to third on a passed ball.

Cox delivered a clutch double in her final high school at-bat that drove home Zarzoza with Mac’s first run. She later came around to score herself on a double by teammate Abby Castillo. Photo by Risa Darlington-Horta.

The fight was still on, the Knights had gotten in some shots. And they weren’t done.

Abby Castillo followed Cox’s RBI double with one of her own, and suddenly the Knights had plated two runs. Ary Sanchez produced another hit, and Castillo advanced to third, but unfortunately that’s where the rally ends and with it the Knights’ 2021 season.

But what an inning for the team to end their season on. And what clutch at bats for Zarzoza and Cox to have for their final plate appearances in 2021. For Cox, it was the final at-bat of high school career.

“It started a little weird to be in the playoffs but it was exciting to be there with the girls,” Zarzoza said. “It started not so well but we got some runs in, and it was really rewarding to be in the playoff.”

Even though she could not take the field, Domingo agreed.

“It was a blast to be there,” she said. “I know we were all excited, especially the seniors, to see our hard work pay off. … Unfortunately, errors and not getting a bat on the ball cost us the game, but we had fun, and it was such a great time with each other. … The atmosphere of the team just changed and it was so fun!”

Reporting by Javier Vela.