The #7 state ranked Lady Mustangs (11-1-1) were able to dominate most of the weekend in Atascosa County, as they racked up five victories and one tie at the “Greatest Show on Turf”. This allowed Natalia to win the tournament for a second straight year, as they defeated the Navarro Lady Panthers 7-2 in the tournament title.
Pool Play
Natalia opened pool play versus neighboring Devine. The Arabians were able to strike first versus Natalia, but this lead would be short-lived. After watching Kendall Arche double, Jessie Ramirez singled allowing Devine to take the 1-0 lead.
Natalia came back to score a pair of runs in the 1st, one in the 2nd inning, one in the 3rd before scoring three in the 4th including a home-run over the right field fence by Biviana Figueroa. This fueled Natalia to a 7-1 victory over the Arabians in just 4-innings of play.
Natalia finished with a 7-3 hitting advantage in the contest, as freshman Abi Woodson picked up the win on the mound. Woodson pitched 5.0, allowing three hits, walked one, struck out 11 and allowed the one earned run.
At bat: Dani Garza 0-3, Trsia Vera 1-2-1run scored, Taty Alvarado 2-3-1RBI, Gabby Contreras 0-1-1run scored, Mena Figueroa 0-2-1run scored, Bryanna Perez 0-1, Abi Woodson 1-2-2runs scored, Gabi Santoya 0-2-1RBI and Bivi Figueroa 3-3-3RBIs-2runs scored.
Defensive Put-Outs: B. Figueroa 12, Munoz 1, Garza 1.
Sabinal proved to be no contest for the girls in blue in their second pool game of the tournament. Natalia dominated the Lady Jackets in the 3-inning contest, out-scoring them 13-0 thanks to a 15-2 offensive advantage at the plate. Garza picked up the win on the mound for Natalia.
At bat: M. Figueroa 3-3-2runs scored-2RBIs, Woodson 1-3-1runs scored-1RBI, Alvarado 1-2-2runs scored, KK Lara 0-0-1run scored, B. Figueroa 1-3-1run scored-3RBIs, Garza 3-3-2runs scored-1RBI, Vera 2-2-1run scored-2RBIs, Perez 0-2-1run scored, Santoya 3-3-1run scored-2RBIs, Contreras 1-3-1run scored-1RBI.
New district foe and old rival Lytle was next in line for the Lady Mustangs. Natalia made short work versus Lytle, as freshman pitcher Woodson held the black and gold to two hits the entire four inning contest. Natalia dominated Lytle, out-hitting them 14-2 en route to a 12-0 run-rule victory.
Woodson struck out ten and walked 0 during the four inning contest.
At bat: Garza 2-2-1RBI-1run scored, Vera 0-1-2runs scored, Alvarado 1-3-1run scored, Contreras 2-3-1RBI-1run scored, M. Figueroa 2-4-1RBI-1run scored, Lara 1-1, Perez 2-3-1HR-4RBIs, Woodson 1-3-2RBIs, Dez Perez 1-1-1RBI, Santoya 0-2-2runs scored and B. Figueroa 2-2-2runs scored.
Defensive Put-Outs: Figueroa 10, Lara 1, B. Perez 1.
The toughest game of the weekend was the final pool game versus the Orange Grove Lady Bulldogs. Garza got the start on the mound and pitched 2.1 innings, as she allowed seven hits, walked one, struck out two and allowed four runs, all of which were earned.
Woodson came in, pitched 3.2, allowed four hits, struck out five allowing one earned run.
Natalia was without the services of four starters for the start of this contest which lasted for the first few innings. OG didn’t waste time, as they jumped on Natalia taking a 5-0 lead before the Lady Stangs knew what had hit them.
Natalia came alive in the bottom of the 5th. Natalia rallied back, with two outs and no one on which was most impressive. Things started off with a home-run over the fence by Biviana Figueroa. Natalia followed up with an Alvarado single, a double by B. Perez, a double by D. Garza and a big home-run by Vera allowing Natalia to tie things 5-5. This is how the game would stand when time was called.
Orange Grove was the first team this season to out-hit Natalia, 11-6.
At bat: Garza 1-3-1RBI-1run scored, Vera 1-2-2RBIs-1run scored, Alvarado 1-3-1run scored, Contreras 0-3, M. Figueroa 0-2, B. Perez 1-3-1RBI-1run scored, Woodson 1-2, Santoya 0-2, B. Figueroa 1-2-1HR-1RBI-1run scored.
Defensive Put-Outs: Figueroa 7, B. Perez 3, Alvarado 2, Contreras 1m Garza 1, M. Figueroa 1, Zita Perez 1, Woodson 1.
Bracket Play: Devine- To open bracket play, the Natalia Lady Mustangs met the Devine Arabians. Freshman Woodson got the start and she dominated Devine from start to finish. She held the Arabians to a single hit, as Natalia’s defense was flawless backing up the pitcher well. She struck out seven Arabians, as the Natalia offense belted out 11 hits en route to a 4-inning 12-0 dominating win.
At bat: Garza 1-3-2RBIs-1run scored, Vera 3-3-2RBIs-1run scored, Alvarado 1-2-2runs scored, Contreras 1-3-1RBI-1run scored, M. Figueroa 1-2-1RBI-2runsw scored, B. Perez 0-2, Woodson 1-1-1RBI-2runs scored, Santoya 1-3-1run scored, B. Figueroa 2-3-3RBIs-1run scored.
Defensive Put-Outs: B. Figueroa 8, Contreras 2, Munoz 1, M. Figueroa 1.
Championship versus Navarro
Natalia battled 4A Navarro in the Tournament title, as the Lady Panthers entered the game undefeated in the tourney including a big win over Orange Grove. Natalia’s Woodson got the start, as she pitched 5.2, allowed four hits, walked four, struck out eight and allowed two earned runs.
After stranding two runners on base in their opening at bat, the Natalia defense watched as Navarro took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st thanks to a single and a big double.
This lead stood until the top of the 3rd inning when the Lady Mustangs began to come alive offensively. Natalia used a M. Figueroa walk, a fielder’s choice by Woodson, a single by Alvarado and a base clearing triple by Garza to take a 3-1 lead.
Natalia added one additional run in the top of the 4th, as they used a Vera single, two stolen bases and a fly out to take a 4-1 lead.
The final offensive damage by Natalia was done in the top of the 5th inning. Natalia used a fielder’s choice put into play by Woodson, a double by Alvarado, and a big home-run by Garza to score three final runs.
Navarro scored their second and final run in the bottom of the 5th, but it was not enough as Natalia would pick up the 7-2 victory to win the Greatest Show on Turf for a second straight year.
At bat: Garza 2-3-1HR-3RBIs-1run scored, Vera 1-3-1run scored, Alvarado 3-3-3RBIs-2runs scored, Contreras 0-3, M. Figueroa 0-1-1runs scored, B. Perez 0-2, Woodson 0-3-2runs scored, Santoya 0-3-1RBI and B. Figueroa 1-3.
Defensive Put-Outs: B. Figueroa 10, Santoya 2, Vera 2, Alvarado 1, Contreras 1, Woodson 1.
All-Tournament
Natalia’s Abi Woodson was named the MVP of the Tournament for her performance on the mound during the weekend event. Natalia’s Trsita Vera, Gabi Santoya, Mena Figueroa and Bivi Figueroa were named to the All-Tournament team.
Upcoming Games
Natalia was on the road on press night battling Orange Grove in what should be a great re-match.
This weekend, Natalia travels to Seguin for a three day tournament. Natalia was placed in the “small school” portion of the tournament, despite their ability to compete against the “big time competition (By Seguin)”.
Natalia opens the tourney Thursday versus Medina at 10:40 a.m. at Seguin HS before a 3:40 p.m. game versus 5A Dripping Springs JV.
Natalia’s toughest test should be Friday at 9:40 a.m. when they battle traditionally tough 3A San Diego at Seguin HS. The final game of the day is at 4:20 p.m. versus Schertz John Paul.
On Saturday, Natalia rounds out things with a challenging game versus Karnes City at the Huber Ranch Complex at 1:00 p.m. before rounding things out versus 2A Harper at 4:20 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 5th Hondo comes to town for a 5:00 p.m. JV and a 7:00 p.m. varsity contest.
By Eric Smith