Heartbreaker in Hondo

The Natalia Lady Mustangs dropped a heart-breaker in Hondo last Tuesday, March 1st. Hondo edged the girls in blue 7-6 in the hit category despite the fact Natalia finished the game with only two defensive errors compared to five by Hondo.
Natalia came out swinging in their opening at bat, as they used a Kira Jimenez walk, a fielder’s choice put into play by Yahdi Lujan followed by Taty Alvarado and Sky Gallegos singles to take the early 2-0 lead. This lead would stand until the bottom of the 3rd inning.
Hondo was able to take the lead in the game, as they used singles by Williams and Brandon, a Fernandez walk and a double by Ybarra followed by a Rodriguez single to take the 4-2 lead.
Natalia responded with a run in the top of the 4th, as they used an error put into play by Anaya Jones followed by a Isabel Laque single and a stolen base to get within a 4-3 game.
Hondo put this one away in the bottom of the 4th. The Owls used an Estes double, a Brandon single and a Buerger double to take a 6-3 lead.
Natalia’s final runs came in the top of the 6th. Natalia used a fielder’s choice by Reagan Juarez, an error put into play by Jimenez, an error put into play by Alvarado and an error put into play by Billalobos to get within a 4-6 game, but that is as close as they would get.
Laque led the offense with three hits, as Gallegos had two followed by Alvarado with 1. Billalobos finished the game allowing seven hits, six earned runs, struck out four and walked two.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer