The Natalia Softball team (11-1-1) continued to impress, as they dominated a ten team tournament in Jourdanton this past Friday and Saturday. Natalia out-scored their six opponents 60-12 en route to a four game sweep through pool games prior to knocking off Marion in the semi-finals and hammering neighboring Devine for the second time in two days for the tournament title.
“I am proud of the effort and team first attitude,” Coach Travis Crowley said. “It was truly a whole team effort this past weekend. Every athlete had a role and understood it and the importance of it.”
Pool Play
Devine – Natalia opened pool play bright and early Friday morning versus the Devine Arabians. Natalia was able to dominate the contest from start to finish en route to a 14-1 four inning victory. Natalia belted out eight hits offensively which scored two runs in the first, four in the second and eight in the fourth inning of play.
Daniella Garza grounded Devine allowing just three hits in the contest allowing the one earned run with 5 Ks in the game.
At bat: Jimena Figueroa 0-1-3runs scored-2RBIs, JuJu Morales 2-3-1run scored-3RBIs, Biviana Figueroa 1-1-3runs scored-1RBI, Daniella Garza 1-2-1run scored-1RBI, Trista Vera 1-3-1run scored-1RBI, Felicia Guzman 0-3, KK Lara 0-0-1run scored, Bryanna Perez 1-1-1run scored, Dezarae Perez 0-2-1run scored and Gabi Sontoya 2-3-2runs scored.
Cameron Yoe – Natalia continued their success in game two vs. 3A Cameron Yoe who was making their first appearance in the Jourdanton Tourney. Natalia continued their hot streak offensively, as they out-hit the Yoe-men 10-4 en route to an 8-3 victory in four and a half innings played.
Natalia did have four defensive errors compared to one by Yoe. Natalia scored two in the top of the 2nd as Yoe scored two in the bottom of the inning. Yoe scored the lone run of the 3rd, as Natalia scored the lone run of the fourth.
In the 5th, Natalia scored five runs, thanks to a Morales BB, a B. Figueroa single, a Garza BB, a B. Perez single, a K. Lara single, a Contreras single and a single b. D. Perez.
Garza finished the game pitching 4.0, allowing four hits, three runs (1 earned) with six Ks and two walks.
At bat: J. Figueroa 1-4-1RBI, Morales 1-2, B. Figueroa 2-4-1RBI, Garza 0-2-1run scored, B. Perez 2-3-2runs scored, Lara 1-2-2runs scored, Vera 0-1-1run scored-1RBIO, Contreras 2-2-1run scored, D. Perez 1-1-1run scored.
Sabinal – The Natalia Lady Mustangs jumped on Sabinal in their opening at bat with a 1-0 (B. Figueroa Home-run) lead before finding themselves down 2-1 after two innings of play.
Natalia came alive once again offensively, as they scored two runs in the 3rd and two in the fourth innings of play (including a B. Figueroa home-run). The production continued with three runs in the 5th and two in the sixth en route to a 10-2 dominating victory.
Natalia out-hit the Lady Jackets 13-6 forcing another five defensive errors on the Lady Jackets. Natalia defensively, played errorless.
Garza pitched 5.1, allowed six hits, two runs (both earned), struck out three and walked two.
At Bat: J. Figueroa 0-4, Morales 2-3-3runs scored, B. Figueroa 2-2-3runs scored-4RBIs-2home-runs, Garza 2-4-2RBIs, B. Perez 1-4-1run scored, Vera 3-3-1run scored, Contreras 1-2-1run scored, D. Perez 1-3-1RBI, Sontoya 1-3-1run scored.
Southside – The Lady Mustangs wrapped up pool play versus the 5A Southside Lady Cardinals. Southside was no test, as Natalia out-scored the Lady Cards 12-2 en route to a five and a half inning run-rule victory.
The Lady Mustangs out-hit Southside 17-5 in the contest although the girls in blue did have one defensive error.
Garza pitched 4.0, allowing four hits, two runs (1 earned) striking out six. D. Perez pitched 1.0, allowed one hit.
AT bat: J. Figueroa 2-4-1run scored, Morales 1-4-2runs scored-2RBIs, B. Figueroa 4-4-3runs scored-5RBIs, Garza 3-4-2runs scored, B. Perez 3-4-2runs scored-2RBIs, Felicia Guzman 1-3-3runs scored, Vera 0-3, Contreras 0-2, Sam Sanchez 1-1, Santoya 2-2-2runs scored, Megan Castro 0-1.
Bracket Play
Marion – Natalia opened bracket play versus old district rival Marion. Natalia began things in the top of the 1st with a pair of runs, thanks to a pair of singles by Morales, B. Figueroa followed by a big double by Garza which set the tone.
Natalia added to this lead in the top of the 3rd, scoring a pair of runs thanks to a Morales walk, a B. Figueroa single, a Garza single and a Guzman single.
The Lady Mustangs added their final runs in the top of the 4th, as they used a J. Figueroa single, a Morales double, a walk by B. Figueroa, a single by Garza and two fly-outs to give the girls in blue a 7-0 lead.
Marion scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the 4th thanks to two walks, an error and a single, but it was not enough as Natalia held on for the victory in 4-innings of play due to the time limit of an hour and a half expiring.
Natalia finished with a 10-3 hit advantage although the Lady Stangs did have two defensive errors.
Garza finished pitching 4.0, allowed three hits, two runs (eight earned) and had a big night with 10 Ks, many of which fell victim to her deadly change-up.
At bat: J. Figueroa 1-3-1run scored, Morales 2-2-3runs scored, B. Figueroa 2-2-3runs scored-1RBI, Garza 3-3-3RBIs, Vera 0-3, Guzman 1-3-2RBIs, B. Perez 0-1, Contreras 1-2, Santoya 0-2.
Devine – In the title game, Natalia met Devine who picked up an upset victory over state ranked Karnes City to enter into a re-match.
Natalia got off to a quick start offensively vs. the Arabians, as they used Devine miscues to set themselves up for success. With one out, Natalia used a Morales walk, a B. Figueroa hit by a pitch and a double by Bryanna Perez to score two runs giving them the early advantage.
After coming up empty in the top of the second, Devine was able to score their first run thanks to a double by #23 and a single by # 10 for the Arabians.
Natalia answered with a run of their own in the top of the 3rd, as they used a Morales walk and a single by Perez again to take a 3-1 lead.
The Lady Mustangs went on to add two runs in the fourth before a huge 6th inning. In this inning, Natalia used a double by Santoya, a single by J. Figueroa, a single by Morales, a huge base clearing triple by B. Figueroa and a double by Perez to give Natalia a 9-1 lead on the Arabians.
Devine would score one final run, but it was not nearly enough as the girls in blue picked up a dominating 9-2 victory.
There were a number of huge plays on both offense and defense by both squads. One of the biggest plays of the game was an impressive double play led by freshman J. Figueroa who snagged a hard shot to short-stop, tagged second before firing to first base for the double play.
Natalia out-hit Devine 12-6 in the seven inning victory as Natalia did have two errors defensively.
Garza pitched 7.0, allowed six hits, two runs (1 earned), struck out five and walked one.
At bat: J. Figueroa 2-5-1run scored, Morales 2-2-3runs scored-2RBIs, B. Figueroa 1-2-2runs scored-2RBIs, Garza 1-4, B. Perez 3-4-4RBIs, Guzman 1-4, Vera 0-3-1run scored, Contreras 0-3, Sontoya 1-2-2runs scored, Castro 1-1.
Defensive Put-Out Leaders: Contreras 8, B. Figueroa 5, J. Figueroa 3, Vera 2. Assists- Garza 3, Perez 3, J. Figueroa 1.
All-Tournament
Natalia’s Biviana Figueroa, Daniella Garza, Bryanna Perez and Juju Morales were named to the All-Tournament team.
Hondo Tournament
Natalia will compete in their final tournament this coming Friday and Saturday in Hondo. Natalia will battle Sabinal at 9:00 a.m. and Hondo at 1:00 p.m.
On Saturday, the Lady Mustangs will be missing over half of their starters due to regional powerlifting. Natalia will still go to war, as they battle D’Hanis at 9:00 a.m. and Pleasanton at 3:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 6th the Lady Mustangs will be back in Hondo battling the Owls in a non-district battle at 7:00 p.m.
By Eric Smith