The Weslaco Panthers win the State Championship on a walk-off grand slam
Photo Courtesy of Weslaco High School
Tonight, the Weslaco Panthers and the Midway Panthers competed for the 2024 UIL 6A Texas Softball State Championship in Austin, Texas.
The Midway Panthers got off to a quick start as Dania Durr sacrificed an out for a Kelsey Mathis score. The Weslaco Panthers tied it up in the same inning with a single from Mia Rodriguez to bring in Alexis Soliz. (1) 1-1.
After a Weslaco error, Midways’ Kallei Alvarado found her way home to take the lead. They took it to another level with a Kelsey Mathis homer that brought herself and Rylie Degeer in. After three outs, Weslacos’ Ema Galvan doubled to bring in Kalysa Izaguirre followed by a sacrifice fly by Dayla Hinojosa to bring Galvan in. (2) 3-4 Midway.
Midways’ Dania Durr found the other side of the fence to extend their lead in the 3rd while Weslaco was held scoreless. (3) 3-5 Midway
The next score wouldn’t come until the top of the 5th with Midways’ Harper Haas sacrifice fly to bring Addie Gloor home, but after some reluctant defense from Weslaco, they were able to get out of that inning without more damage done. (5) 3-6 Midway.
A Weslaco shortstop error resulted in a run in the 6th and two home runs in the top of the 7th would virtually put this game out of reach for any team, but not the Weslaco Panthers. (7) 3-9 Midway.
Alexis Soliz’ single brought home Dayla Hinojosa after her own triple to start the bottom of the 7th inning. Midway threw in their closing pitcher Camryn Carter to prevent a potential comeback with Weslaco loading bases. A hit-by-pitch would advance Alexis Soliz in for another score to cut the lead to four runs. Elizabeth Craig’s ground ball allowed Reyes to score, cutting the lead down to three. Romy Nunez singled bringing Mia Rodriguez in to cut the lead to two.
With bases still loaded, Weslacos’ Andrea Ortiz stepped up to the plate. Camryn Carter threw the pitch and as the bat met the ball with hundreds of thousands people watching, it sailed over the left field wall for a grand slam walk-off to take the lead, take the game, and take the State Championship.
Final: 11-9 Weslaco Panthers.
The Weslaco Panthers historic playoff run has officially come to an end as they win it all in Austin, Texas. This was the first year that the Panthers, as well as any team from the Rio Grande Valley, have reached the State Championship tournament. This makes the Weslaco Panthers the first team from the RGV to win a State Championship. This was truly history in the making. God willing, this will not be the last time the Panthers, or any team representing the RGV, will accomplish this massive feat. Congratulations to the Weslaco Panthers for putting hard work day in and day out to reach the highest peak of the mountain.