Nixon-Smiley softball secures first-ever playoff berth

The Nixon-Smiley High School softball team is locked in a battle for a top playoff seed in 3A District 26.

With wins over Randolph, 19-5, on April 9 and over Cole, 15-0, on April 13, the Lady Mustangs are tied for second with Stockdale at 6-2. Two two teams split their season series and both have a game remaining with first-place Marion, which is a perfect 8-0.

If Nixon and Stockdale have the same outcomes over their final two games, they will need a tiebreaker to determine who is on second place. If Marion loses its last two games (against Stockton and Nixon), there would be a three-way tie for first.

Regardless, the Lady Mustangs will make the playoffs for the first time in the program’s history.

The Lady Mustangs’ final two district games are Friday, April 16 at Luling and Tuesday, April 20 at home versus Marion. Both games are at 6 p.m.

The Lady Mustangs edged Luling, 18-17, on March 29 and lost to Marion, 10-8, on April 1.

On April 13, the Lady Mustangs (6-2, 9-8) made quick work of Cole, scoring 10 runs in the second – including a home run by Greenlee Houseton – and five more in the third to end the game under the Mercy Rule.

The Lady Mustangs did not commit and error and starting pitcher Kendal Amaya did not allow a baserunner while striking out four.

Mady Velasquez and Natalie Mendez each went 2-for-2 at the plate an reached base a third time. Carlee Cano reached base three times, drawing a walk and being hit by a pitch – twice.

On April 9, the Lady Mustangs overcame early errors to post a 19-5 win over Randolph at Nixon. Mady Velasquez pitched all five innings before the game was called under the 10-run Mercy Rule. She recorded 11 strikeouts with only four walks. 

At the plate, Kendal Amaya went 2-for-3 (triple, double, HBP), Velasquez was 3-for-4 (triple, double), Greenlee Houseton was 3-for-4 (clearing the fence with a homer), Cecilia Villasana was 2-for-4, and Jaylee Bustos was 2-for-2 at bat (triple, double).