MARSHALL, Texas — The familiarity between District 15-4A rivals Pleasant Grove and Gilmer was evident Thursday night.

The Lady Hawks beat the Lady Buckeyes in the first game of their regional quarterfinals series at Lady Mavs Field, 5-2.

"I was fired up," Pleasant Grove head coach Becca Collom said. "We did a good job of staying up from the first pitch to the last. We didn't have everything go our way but I'm glad we stayed positive."

Addy Walker put the Buckeyes on the board in the top of the third inning, driving in Ryleigh Larkins on a single to the outfield.

Walker went 1 for 3 with a RBI at the plate for Gilmer, while teammate Ryleigh Larkins finished 1 for 1 at the plate.

Natalie Nickolson tied the contest, 1-1, for the Hawks in the bottom of the third inning, driving in Lexi Snyder from second base.

Nickolson went 1 for 3 with a RBI and a run scored at the dish for PG.

Snyder started in the circle for the Hawks. Snyder tossed a complete game, gave up two runs and struck out five batters.

"She kept them off-balanced all night," Collom said. "She struck them out and got good grounds balls when we needed her too. The defense was able to make plays behind her.

"It was a great combination of both."

Presley Humphrey drove in Adi Koller, Nickolson, and Zoe Smith, giving the Hawks a 4-1 cushion heading into the top of the fourth inning.

"Presley did a great job of refocusing for us." Collom said. "Her first at-bat didn't go as planned and she came back with a clear mind," Collum said.

Melody Larkins sliced into the Hawks cushion with a double off the centerfield wall, driving in Karlye Johnston, 4-2.

Melody Larkins ended the game going 2 for 2 with a double and RBI at the plate for the Buckeyes and teammate Johnston went 2 for 3 with a double and run scored at the dish.

Humphrey hit a solo homerun off the scoreboard, expanding The Hawks' lead over Gilmer, 5-2.

Humphrey finished 2 for 3 with a double, homerun, 4 RBI and a run scored at the plate for Pleasant Grove.

"Humphrey's smoked it, it was an absolute beauty," Collum said.

The Hawks turned a 5-3 double play to end the game.

The second game of the series is Saturday at Lady Mavs Field, beginning at 1 p.m., following by Game 3, if necessary.

"There were a bunch of irregular plays we had to make to keep them from scoring runs," Collom said. "I'm glad were able to make those plays at the point in the game when we did."