The Varsity Arabians hosted the Lytle Lady Pirates last Tuesday, March 14, to open District 29-4A play, and won 5-4 on a walk-off hit by right fielder Taylor Carr.
Lytle’s leadoff batter singled to start the game, then stole second and scored on an error to quickly give the Lady Pirates a 1-0 advantage.
The Arabians responded immediately in the bottom half of the 1st inning. Center fielder Jaylyn Stewart hit a one-out single, and left field Korin Stehle belted a two-run homer to put Devine up 2-1.
Devine tacked on another run in the 3rd inning, capitalizing on two Lytle miscues. First baseman Brittany Jay reached base on a two-out error. After pitcher Amanda Wilson followed with a walk, Lytle’s center fielder committed an error on a ball put into play by catcher Brooklyn Anderson, and Jay came around to score for a 3-1 lead.
The rest of the Lady Pirates’ damage came in the top of the 5th inning, when they surged to a 4-3 lead thanks to two singles and two Devine errors.
The Arabians immediately tied the game. Jay drew a one-out walk and came around to score later in the inning thanks to a single by Wilson and consecutive walks by Anderson and designated player Jessie Ramirez.
A scoreless 6th inning for both teams set the stage for Carr’s 7th inning heroics.
Anderson ripped a one-out single down the third-base line to start the rally, and was replaced on the bases by courtesy runner Kendall Arche. Second baseman Tori Martin drew a two-out walk to move Arche into scoring position, and Carr followed with a base hit up the middle to drive in Arche for the 5-4 victory.
“We played as a group and overall that gave us the win,” Coach Mark Mangold said. “Great effort from everyone.”
Devine belted 13 hits but left 10 runners on base in scoring position, and committed five errors.
The Lady Pirates committed two errors and walked five Devine batters.
Wilson pitched a complete game, giving up zero earned runs or walks and limiting Lytle to just four hits while recording a whopping 12 strikeouts.
Devine improved to 1-0 in District and 15-5 overall with the win.
Batting: Carr 2-5, 1 RBI; Stewart 3-4; Stehle 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 SB; Jenna Sadler 0-3, 1 BB; Jay 2-3; Wilson 2-4; Anderson 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB; Ramirez 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB; Martin 0-3, 1 BB.
Upcoming games
The Arabians will have traveled to Carrizo Springs to take on the Lady Wildcats on Tuesday, March 21, before hosting Crystal City on Friday, March 24.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer