PEARLAND -- After squeaking out a one-run win in the bottom of the seventh inning Friday night, the Nederland Lady Bulldogs decided there would be no drama Saturday.

  Nederland jumped on Huntsville early and often in taking a 4-0 victory over the Lady Hornets to sweep their 4A softball regional semifinal series.

  “That was huge jumping on them early,” said Nederland head coach Sissy Yeaman. “We did that against Foster last Friday in game two and tonight we came out and put the pressure on them.”

  “We have been down in the past so we know what it feels like to be on their side.”

  All through the playoffs the Bulldogs have rode the arm of Caitlin Austin and some fine defensive play behind her. Saturday became more of the same as Austin put more zeroes on the opposing side's scoreboard and once again got solid play behind her.

  With the win on the mound, Austin improved to 20-5 on the season and 6-1 in the playoffs. During the Bulldogs playoff run, Austin has given up only two runs in 53 innings.

  Once again the defense was jittery on the Huntsville side as two errors in the first inning allowed the Bulldogs to grab a 2-0 lead.

  Ashleigh Kuhn greeted Huntsville pitcher Shelby Smith for a leadoff single. That’s when Huntsville's defensive lapses would start. Layken Richard would reach first on an error by the Huntsville second baseman which allowed Kuhn to take third base. Austin would drive in Kuhn on an error by the Hornets shortstop to make it 1-0. Jordan Hightower then drove in Richard with a single to left for the second Nederland run of the inning.

  Nederland (27-8-1) would then use the long ball in the top of the third inning to grab 4-0 lead. With one out it was Austin helping herself with a single to left. Pinch runner Madison Trevino would then come on to run for Austin and she promptly stole second base. It would not matter though as Jordan Bodin was sitting on a Smith fastball and she drove it over the right field wall for a two-run homer.

  “She threw me one outside and I just went with the pitch,” said Bodin.

  Meanwhile on the mound it was Austin just doing her thing. She retired nine of the first 10 Hornets batters she faced. The only blemish early on was a seeing eye single by Nena Gibson. She then put together another streak by retiring 12 of the next 13 batters she faced to finish off the season for the Hornets.

  “We talked to Caitlin about mixing her pitches up a little more today and that was key,” added Yeaman. “She also did an excellent of getting ahead of hitters today which always makes things a lot easier.”

  Austin finished with a two-hitter while adding seven strikeouts, but issuing no bases on balls. 

  The Bulldogs finished with eight hits on the day. Kuhn reached base all four times with three hits and a walk. Bodin finished with a double and a homer while Hightower also had two hits.

  Smith was tagged for the loss. Only two of the four runs she allowed were earned. She struck out only one Bulldogs hitter in the series. Huntsville finishes its season at 18-17.