There were two schools of thoughts regarding pitchers at Friday night's area-round softball doubleheader between Lamar and Katy Taylor.

Lamar coach Brenna Guthrie pitched Taylor Devost in the first game and held senior ace Kelsey Goodwin for the nightcap, possibly hoping the latter would shut Taylor down and secure a series sweep.

If Taylor softball coach Billie Powell ever entertained such notions, Sarah Blair quashed them in a hurry.

Blair, Taylor's own senior hurler, shouldered the entire load, pitching a near-perfect game to start and tossing a clever 1-0 gem in the closer as the Mustangs swept the Redskins to advance to the regional quarterfinals.

For her achievements, Blair is the Athlete's Connection's College Ball or Bust.com Athlete of the Week.

"We knew they were a good team and we knew we were taking a little bit of a chance by pitching Sarah out there both games," Powell said. "She had a great game in the first game (and) really did a good job keeping their hitters off-balance. She was able to get through with just the one baserunner.

"In the second game ... she wanted the ball. We knew they were gonna get more looks at her and start to hit the ball and defensively we'd have to make some plays. For the most part, we did. It was good to see."

Blair, who committed to Kansas in November, struck out eight in the first game and retired the first 20 batters she faced before an error with two outs in the seventh inning spoiled her shot at perfection.

Lamar hit her harder in the second game, pounding out six hits but going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position because Blair effectively changed speeds and always stayed at least a step ahead of the District 20-5A champion Redskins.

Blair, also a utility player, struck out two of the last three batters she faced in the seventh inning, which began with back-to-back Lamar singles. It was a flourish somewhat reminiscent of Taylor's previous postseason game, a 3-0 win against Cypress Creek seven days prior when she struck out the side in the seventh inning to secure's Taylor first advancement out of the first round in five years.

Taylor (24-9), which finished third in 18-5A, will play district co-champion Cinco Ranch in the regional quarterfinals. Game times will be decided Monday morning.

The Cougars edged MacArthur in three games this weekend.

So, then, secrets will be few when the Katy ISD rivals meet. That's as good a time as any for Powell to impart a familiar message.

"I tell these girls all the time they have to be great together. Sarah can't do it all by herself," Powell said. "We did that (Friday)."

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