HERMLEIGH — Facing elimination for the first time this postseason after dropping Game 1 of their Region I-5A quarterfinals series on Friday, the youthful Wylie softball team made District 4-5A rival and champion Lubbock Monterey sweat on the series’ second day.

But after downing the Lady Plainsmen 9-5 in Game 2 on Saturday to extend the series to a deciding third game, the Lady Bulldogs couldn’t solve pitcher Brenna Straughan or slow a barrage of seeing-eye hits in 9-3 loss in Game 3.

A Minely Avila home run pulled coach Heather Collier’s team within two runs (5-3) in the fourth inning of the rubber match, but Monterey responded with four runs in the fifth to regain control and eventually end the Lady Bulldogs’ season at 22-14.