RED OAK -- Senior Taylor Maliska relied on a drop-curve to slow down Mesquite Poteet’s explosive offense long enough for Ennis to sweep the Class 4A Region II semifinal series with an 11-5 Game 2 victory Friday night before a capacity crowd at Lady Hawk Field.
Maliska held Poteet scoreless until the final two innings, and by that time Ennis was in control, 11-0. The senior left-hander struck out four and walked two in registering her 25th victory.
“You kind of have to change your approach when you’re facing good hitters for the second time in two days,’’ said Maliska. “We went to regionals my sophomore year, and I’m excited to get a second chance.’’
The Lady Lions will meet Hallsville in the regional final.
Maliska brought home three insurance runs for Ennis (37-5) with a bases-loaded double to left field in the sixth inning. Freshman Samantha Martinez completed the Ennis scoring by clearing the center-field fence with a three-run home run in the sixth to make it 11-0.
Martinez finished with two hits and four RBIs, and second baseman Courtlyn Benitez had three hits and drove in two runs.
Poteet (24-14) didn’t go quietly, however. Senior shortstop Madison Yannetti went 4-for-4 with two solo home runs to lead Poteet (24-14).
The Lady Pirates went on to score two more runs in the sixth, with Shelby Wilson’s double the key hit. Wilson launched Poteet’s third solo home run in the seventh.
Rylie Robertson grounded a single into right field to stake Ennis to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. With two outs, Julia Hollingsworth and Michaela Cochran lined Ennis’ first two hits to reach scoring position for Robertson. Martinez doubled to drive in Ennis’ third run in the fourth inning.
Benitez made it 4-0 with an RBI double in the fifth.