Antonian softball defeated St. Pius X 11-1 in the TAPPS Division I state quarterfinals, advancing to the state tournament. Key players included Alejandra Santoyo, Analicia Guerrero, and Trinity Silva.
Analicia Guerrero is a senior pitcher for Antonian. (Antonian Softball)
Patience at the plate led to a big day for Antonian in the TAPPS Division I state quarterfinals against Houston St. Pius X on Monday.
Antonian (24-9) pounded out 10 hits, including solid performances at the plate from Alejandra Santoyo, Analicia Guerrero and Trinity Silva, in an 11-1 rout of St. Pius X in five innings at Antonian High School softball field.
"We had a plan coming in because we've faced that pitcher (Kennedy Flenner of St. Pius X) four years now," Antonian coach Johnny Villanueva said. "She's a great pitcher. Hats off to her, but we understand what's she's trying to accomplish and we're able to stay off the high stuff, and we were able to hit the pitch we were looking for."
Antonian advances to the TAPPS state tournament for the fifth straight year. The Apaches play the winner between Houston St. Agnes and crosstown rival Incarnate Word in the semifinals Monday at Allan Saxe Field in Arlington.
Guerrero went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer that capped a six-run fourth inning for Antonian. Silva delivered three RBIs on two hits and Santoyo drove in two runs, including a solo homer for the first of to the Apaches' four runs in the third.
Guerrero also came through with a gem in the circle as she allowed one run on one hit with with five strikeouts.
"I was hoping for a big day, but in my mind all I felt was play my heart out," Guerrero said. "You know where you came and you know who brought you here, and I wanted to finish it that way."
Villanueva said Guerrero, a senior, has come through Antonian many times in her career.
"She did great," Villanueva said. "She's been doing that since her freshman year. It's not that we expect that but there's a standard here at Antonian and she lives up to that standard every day, coming in grinding, putting in the work. It's not always going to work out when you put in the work, but they understand that at some point we're going to get it going."
St. Pius X struck first in the top of the third, as Jessica Muniz led off the frame with a bloop single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emmery Coleman. After Cate Solari struck out, Muniz scored on an Antonian error.
Antonian responded with a two-out rally that produced four runs, starting with Santoyo's solo shot over the left-field fence. From there, five straight Apache batters reached base, with Silva smacking a two-RBI double into the left field corner. Guerrero brought Silva home on a single.
Antonian won the game against St. Pius X with a score of 11-1.
Key players for Antonian included Alejandra Santoyo, Analicia Guerrero, and Trinity Silva.
Antonian recorded 10 hits and demonstrated patience at the plate, leading to their victory.
With this win, Antonian softball advances to the TAPPS state tournament.
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The Apaches continued their onslaught in the fourth, as eight of their first nine batters got on base, with Santoyo bringing in Jocelyn Seaborn on a sacrifice fly, courtesy runner Autumn Losoya scoring on an error, Rylee de la Garza coming home on Silva's infield single and Guerrero topping it off with her three-run blast.
Antonian was able to finish off St. Pius X in the fifth by scoring a run on an error.
When it heads back to the state tournament next week, Antonian is hoping to come back home with their first state title since 2022, when they crushed Dallas Bishop Lynch 18-3. In last year's state title game, Antonian lost to Plano John Paul II 12-2.
"I'm so excited to go back to Arlington," Santoyo said. "It's like we always play our best there. It feels like we have the responsibility, like it's our duty to win this game after my past three years and the seniors their fourth year. We need to really focus on our hitting because I feel like that's what we've been lacking in the past years. Our defense is amazing, but we just need to focus on our hitting and we could win."
Guerrero was one of four Antonian seniors - including Silva, de la Garza and Isabella Garza - who played their final game at their home park.
"It's a very bittersweet feeling because I know this team will make it far but doing it with these girls and finishing with this team this year makes it ten times better," Guerrero said. "It's a great feeling."
This article originally published at Antonian softball run-rules St. Pius X to advance to TAPPS state tournament.