Pearland out to defend state ranking
By L. Scott Hainline
Chronicle correspondent
Two of 22-5A's best Pearland and Dobie meet in the first of two district battles, with the Lady Longhorns trying to knock Pearland from the league lead, and possibly out of the state's Class 5A top 10.
The Lady Oilers are No. 5 in this week's Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A poll, but more importantly, they'll look to pad the district lead.
ABOUT THE GAME
Matchup: Dobie at Pearland
When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday
Where: Pearland High School
What's at stake: A key District 22-5A victory against another playoff-savvy squad
Pearland players to watch: P Jessica Bowden, C Brittany Marcet, 1B Megan Coronado, 2B Lauren Langner, SS Jaclyn Bechtle, 3B Chelsea Bennett, OF Leandra Maly, OF Sara Clements
Dobie players to watch: 2B Amanda Nguyen, OF Shelby O'Brien, CF Amie Gallant, SS Chelsey Morgan, 3B-C Ariel Morgan, OF Shelby Senegal, 1B-C Faith Roberts, P Shannon O'Connor, P Alyssa Zarate
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Pearland: The Lady Oilers are ranked in back of No. 1 Coppell (and in order) Keller, The Woodlands and Clements, and ahead of No. 6 Katy, Bellaire, San Antonio Lady Bird Johnson, Pflugerville and A&M Consolidated in the TGCA's 5A top 10 ... Other area teams in the top 25 are No. 17 Brazoswood, No. 24 Houston Lamar and tied-for-25th Clear Creek ... Pearland streaked to its 5-0 district start with the only close one coming in a 2-1 victory over Pasadena Memorial. The Lady Oilers also defeated Pasadena 10-2, Rayburn 8-1, La Porte 7-2 and South Houston 9-0 ... Pearland split with Dobie last year winning 4-3 and falling 4-0 in the final district game with the 22-5A championship already in hand ... The Lady Oilers host Pasadena at 7 p.m. Thursday prior to Easter weekend.
Dobie: The Lady Longhorns started district with a 1-0 loss to Pasadena Memorial, but stayed close to Pearland with consecutive wins against South Houston 11-1, La Porte 9-2, Deer Park 4-0 and Pasadena 16-0 ... Nguyen is the top hitter at .529, with O'Brien at .529 and Gallant .447 ... Dobie starts the second round of district against Pasadena Memorial at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pasadena ISD complex.
