Plano East sophomore Julia Wilson hit the go-ahead, two-run triple in last Thursday’s 7-5 win over Allen. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Every game over the past few weeks for the Plano East softball team has been treated as a must-win.
The Lady Panthers were in danger of missing the playoffs for an eighth consecutive year after losing three out of four games in late March, including a 17-10 setback to Allen – a game that Plano East led 10-6 before the Lady Eagles used an 11-run bottom of the sixth to top the Lady Panthers.
But ever since that mini-skid, Plano East has responded with five straight wins. And needing just a win over Allen last Thursday to clinch a playoff berth, Plano East turned to a sophomore to get the job done.
Julia Wilson lined a two-run triple with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie, and the Lady Panthers held on for a 7-5 win to clinch their first playoff berth since 2017.
“It feels amazing to see these girls achieve their goal of making the playoffs, especially for my group of seniors,” said Lauren Peterson, Plano East head coach. “They have worked so hard and deserve this.”
For a moment, it appeared that Plano East was going to win the game in runaway fashion.
Senior Kylie Grant drove in Wilson with a hit in the third inning to give Plano East a 5-0 lead. But Allen battled back with five unanswered runs to tie the score at 5-5. However, the Lady Panthers had the final say, with Wilson’s triple providing the punctuation mark on an incredible comeback.
“The confidence that my kids have is amazing,” Peterson said. “They just come with a different mindset and a special sense of belief in themselves. We gave up the five runs, but there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that we would finish the game strong. They just find a way, and it is so fun to be a part of. We are clicking at the right time.”
That confidence was evident in Plano East’s 7-4 come-from-behind win over McKinney just 24 hours prior.
Trailing 4-2 going into the top of the seventh inning, Plano East’s offense got back on track at the most opportune time.
Sophomore Gina Martin ignited a five-run outburst for the Lady Panthers with an RBI single. A few minutes later, Wilson tied the score at 4-4 with an RBI sacrifice fly.
That set the stage for sophomore Kayleigh Miller.
Miller hit the first pitch of her at bat over the wall for a three-run home run for a 7-4 Plano East lead.
“Kayleigh is amazing,” Peterson said. “She struggled at the plate leading up to that at bat. She was frustrated with her production but had the ability to separate every half inning and play lights out at third base defensively. Then she came up big when we needed her, swung at the first pitch she got and there wasn’t a question, that ball was gone. She roped it.”
Plano East (22-9) and Allen (14-17-1) played a one-game playoff Monday for seeding purposes.
The Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Eagles 9-5 and Plano East will play Hebron in the bi-district round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs.
Plano East led 8-1 after four innings.
Miller went 2 for 4 with two doubles and four RBIs.
Dawson allowed one earned run over seven innings and hit her 12th home run of the season.
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