Tuesday, April 30, 1996

Lady Cougars continue softball playoffs today

By TED CUNNAM
Assistant Sports Editor

COAHOMA - On a smaller scale, the Cooper softball team will seek a three-peat when it takes on Midland High today in a Class 5A regional semifinal game.

The Lady Cougars (17-9) have already beaten the Lady Bulldogs twice this season by scores of 16-6 and 3-1. A win today would put head coach Connie Finn's team just two victories away from reaching the state tournament.

Cooper reached this stage of the playoffs by taking a 16-5 win Friday over El Paso Hanks while Midland High was impressive in a 10-0 win over El Paso Irvin.

"I was real happy with the way we played against Hanks," Finn said. "I thought they were a decent team, and we pretty much dominated them offensively and defensively."

Even though Cooper has beaten the Lady Bulldogs twice, Finn said those two meetings shouldn't be an indication of what will transpire today.

"It's going to be a tough game. I don't think our two wins will have any bearing, one way or another, on what's going to happen this time," the CHS head coach said. "They couldn't do anything the first time we played them, and the second time was more like what I thought the game would be like.

"I think both Midland High and Cooper are playing their best softball right now. I'd say our hitting has become a little more consistent lately, and defense has always been our strongpoint. Beth (Hurley, pitcher) didn't have one of her better games against Hanks - she walked more people than she normally does.

"We got into some jams, but she helped us get out of them. She made some plays that were very effective."

While Hurley will start for Cooper, Jennifer Shelton is expected to start for the Lady Bulldogs. Shelton went the distance for Midland in its win over Irvin, allowing just three hits to improve to 9-5.

Shelton, a junior, didn't walk a batter in six inning and permitted just one hit over the final five innings.

The Lady Bulldogs are led junior third baseman Michelle Quintela, who went 2-for-3 against Irvin with three runs batted in and one run score. Shelton also had two hits on the day while Jamee Stennett had a two-run double.

Finn, though, believes her team's offense is just as potent as the Lady Bulldogs' offense.
"The last game we had 13 hits. Everyone's contributing," she said. "It's like Jill (Malone) said, when we start hitting it's contagious."

Finn said the Lady Cougars will have to be aggressive at the plate today.
"Shelton has a faster pitch than Beth, but a lot of people do. She's very effective and throws strikes. We can't go up to the plate expecting a walk."

Cooper vs. Midland High

• Where: Coahoma
• When: 5 p.m.
• Records: Cooper 17-9, Midland 16-5.