Clarendon won a thrilling 4-2 opener Friday in nine innings. Floydada battled back for a 11-2 blowout in Saturday’s second game only to see the Lady Broncos repay the favor on the Lady Whirlwinds with a 9-0 shutout in the rubber match to punch a ticket to the school’s first ever UIL state semifinals.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” said Clarendon softball coach Brad Elam, who is in his 26th and final season coaching at Clarendon. “I’m retiring at the end of this year, and this is a fun way to end it. This is the perfect script for me to go out. We’ve been extremely blessed and I’m so proud of this team.”

Clarendon (30-6-1) is now set to play in its first ever UIL state semifinal when they battle Region II champion Riesel (26-4-1) at a time and place to be determined.

Friday’s opener between Clarendon and Floydada (32-9) was fitting way to open the regional championship between the two teams that split games during the district season.

The game was tied 2-2 heading into extra innings. In the top of the ninth, Hayden Elam, the daughter of Clarendon coach Brad Elam, hit a triple that scored a go-ahead run but thanks to a throwing error by the Lady Whirlwinds, Elam was able to score putting the Lady Broncos up 4-2. In the bottom of half of the inning, Kennadie Cummins worked a perfect final inning to polish off a complete game giving Clarendon the win.

On Saturday, Floydada evened things up in a hurry jumping out to a 6-0 lead off big swings and Lady Broncos miscues. Clarendon never recovered as the Lady Whirlwinds forced a decisive game three winning 11-2.

Less than an hour later, Clarendon flipped the script in a hurry repaying Floydada in the first two innings. Clarendon took a 1-0 first inning lead off a Tandie Cummins double plating Elam. However, it was the second inning where the Lady Broncos exploded.

Kennadie Cummins opened up the big inning on a two-run double as Clarendon went up 3-0. Moments later, Elam followed with a two-run triple and all of a sudden, the Lady Broncos were in complete control up 5-0.

“This team motivated themselves more than I motivated them going into the third game,” Elam said. “They knew they didn’t play like they were capable of in the second game. I thought we came out and set the tone and it all went great from there.”

Kennadie Cummins echoed her coaches’ comments.

“That first game is not the team we are,” Kennadie said. “We knew we had to come out in the second game and set the tone and show people what we were capable of.”

Kennadie Cummins was the MVP of the series for the Lady Broncos. The senior was stellar in her two starts in the circle totaling 16 innings without allowing an earned run with a total of 10 K’s. In the rubber match, Kennadie was stellar throwing a seven-inning shutout giving up only one hit. Cummins was also clutch at the plate getting three hits in the series including the RBI double Saturday.

“This team is tough and resilient,” Elam said. “I say that all the time but it’s true. Kennadie is the definition of that toughness especially in the circle. She has been that way all year. She throws a lot of strikes and has a great defense behind her. I love her confidence and work ethic, and she always has that will to win.”

On top of Kennadie Cummins effort, Elam was electric to help close out Floydada going 3-for-4 with a homer, a triple for a total of three RBIs.

Regional quick hits

Clarendon is the only Texas Panhandle softball team left standing over the weekend. The Dumas Demonettes battled but fell short in the UIL Region I-4A Division I championship to Andrews. The Demonettes couldn’t hold a game one lead falling 11-9, then were swept on Saturday 15-2. Dumas ends a tremendous season at 34-7.

River Road also saw a fantastic year come to a close falling to Iowa Park in the UIL Region I-3A Division I championship at Abilene Christian University. Iowa Park set the tone in the opener with an 11-1 victory then cruised in game two for the sweep 20-2. The Lady Wildcats end a great season at 28-11.