The junior right-handed pitcher had to battle the wind blowing in from center during Game 1 of their Class 2A regional semifinal series against Riviera Kaufer on Thursday at the Lady Pirates Field.
Nevlud (14-0-1) extended her winning streak, giving up to two hits and no earned runs while striking out six in six innings of work as the No. 1 Lady Comanches defeated the Lady Hawks 11-1.
"The wind is definitely a disadvantage when you're pitching," Nevlud said. "It's hard to focus, and I just hit my spots to help the team out."
Both teams travel to Beeville for Game 2 on Saturday. Game 3, if necessary, will follow Game 2.
"That win was blowing in hard from center and our whole team had to adjust," said Shiner coach Steven Cerny. "I thought that we stayed focus and got some key hits when we needed to."
Nevlud remained confident all game long.
Shiner's Taylor Wenske swings against Riviera Kaufer during Game 1 of their Class 2A regional semifinal series Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Sinton.
[ click on any photo to enlarge ]
"You have to stay humble and focused when you're pitching," Nevlud said. "You can't worry about the past, and you just have to focus on game at a time."
Shiner (22-2-2) scored in every inning except the first.
The Lady Comanches also were aggressive on the bath paths, stealing 14 bases.
"I think we stepped up when we needed to," Nevlud said. "We got clutch hits, and we made defensive plays when we needed to."
The Lady Hawks (24-1) had five errors in the game and the Lady Comanches made them pay for it.
Shiner took a 4-0 lead after Taylor Wenske, who had two RBIs, hit an RBI single.
The Lady Hawks' lone run came on an error in the bottom of the fourth.
With the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Shiner third baseman Lauren Haas (three RBIs) hit two-run double to give the Lady Comanches a 6-1 advantage.
Nevlud, who went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with an RBI triple.
The Lady Comanches will have a light practice Friday to prepare for Game 2 on Saturday.
"They have a great team over there with great arms and great defensive players," Cerny said. "It was very important to win Game 1, but it all starts over on Saturday."
[ see also Shiner Gazette story ]
GAME STATISTICS 2A Softball Regional Playoff (Game 1) Thursday, May 18, 2017 Sinton, TX Shiner 11, Riviera Kaufer 1 123 456 7 -- R H E Shiner 012 122 3 -- 11 9 1 Rivera Kaufer 000 100 0 -- 1 2 5 W - Bethany Nevlud (14-0-1). L - Kymberly Godfrey Highlights - (Shiner) Nevlud 6 IP, 2H, 6 K, 2-for-5, 2 RBIs; Lauren Haas 1-for-2 RBI, BB; Mackinly Pilat 2-for-4, 4 SB; Taylor Wenske 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI. Records - Shiner 22-2-2, Riviera Kaufer 24-2.
Marcus Gutierrez is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588 or mgutierrez@vicad.com