With a share of the 26-3A Softball title on the line April 4th in Atascosa County, the Jourdanton Squaws took what was given to them.
The Natalia Lady Mustangs were impressive offensively as they belted 10+ hits on the night versus Jourdanton Senior and Texas A&M Kingsville Bound Bailey Longoria.
On the opposite side of the field, Natalia sophomore Daniella Garza held her own, and finished the night with the better stats holding the Squaws to just four hits.
When it was all said and done, missed opportunities and five defensive errors proved costly as Jourdanton defeated Natalia 3-2 tying the girls in blue for the district lead.
“We allowed an outright district title to slip through out hands,” Coach Travis Crowley said. “Timely errors led to two of their three runs and we did not capitalize with runners in scoring position. I think it was a good test and atmosphere for our younger girls and it showed them what a playoff game could be like.”
As mentioned, Garza had a great day on the mound, facing a senior laden Jourdanton squad (6 seniors). Garza pitched 6.0, allowed four hits, walked two, struck out two and allowed three runs, one of which was earned.
Two of the three runs came in the opening inning for the Squaws. After watching Natalia strand one on base, J-town went to work. They used a single, two errors and three ground outs to take the 2-0 lead.
In the top of the 2nd, the Lady Mustangs responded as they used a Bryanna Perez base on balls and a single by Caprice Sanchez to cut the lead in half. This score would hold until the top of the 6th inning.
Natalia did have their chances in the top of the 4th, as they stranded bases loaded following singles by Felicia Guzman, Perez and Gabby Contreras. Unfortunately, they were unable to produce with the bases loaded as J-town went on to get two outs to round out the inning.
In the top of the 6th, Natalia tied the game thanks to a Perez double, a Sanchez single and a ground out by Contreras.
The bottom of the 6th saw the Natalia defense go to work as they used a G5 and a Garza K to start the inning off great. Unfortunately, with two outs, J-town hit a deep ball which was dropped for an E putting a runner on. Next up, the squaws leadoff batter Kris Ramirez belted one to the fence which would be the true game winning run.
In the top of the 7th, Natalia had their chances again getting Garza on with a single followed by Figueroa on base. Unfortunately, the girls in blue could not finish as Jourdanton held on for a 3-2 victory.
“I like the fact that this team has the never say die attitude and has the capability to come from behind like we have in almost every game this year,” Crowley said. “Daniella Garza pitched a great game, getting out jams and keeping us within striking distance on winning it. Bryanna Perez scored both our runs going 2-2 with a walk, SB and a double that led to the tying run in the 6th. We are looking forward to finishing up district by winning out hopefully and being Co-District Champs.”
At Bat: Garza 2-4, Guzman 1-4, Contreras 1-3-1RBI, Perez 2-2-2runs scored, JuJu Morales 0-4, Regina Garza 0-4, Sanchez 2-3-1RBI, Biviana Figueroa 4-4 and Gabi Sontoya 1-3.
Defensive Put-Outs: R. Garza 6, D. Garza 4, Perez 4, Guzman 2, Figueroa 2, Contreras 1.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer