The Natalia Lady Mustangs were impressive in their home opener last week, as they battled 6A Churchill for the first time in program history. The Lady Mustangs dominated offensively and defensively, as they out-hit the Lady Chargers 15-4 while senior Daniella Garza led the defense with 11Ks on the night. When it was all said and done, the Lady Stangs defeated the visiting squad from North East ISD 10-2.
“Churchill had a pitcher who consistently hit outside corners which caused a little trouble for us early on,” Coach Tamara Bednorz said. “We were able to adjust and get our sticks going.”
Senior Garza got the start and pitched all 7.0 innings, as she scattered four hits, walked three and struck out eleven in the contest.
One of those four hits came in the opening at bat for the Lady Chargers. With two outs, #13 belted a long ball over the center-field fence giving the visitors a short-lived 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 1st, the Natalia Lady Mustangs came alive offensively as well. They used a Taty Alvarado single, an Abi Woodson single, a Mena Figueroa base on balls, a Biviana Figueroa single and a big triple by Garza to score in three Lady Stangs.
Churchill took up where they left off in the top of the 2nd, as they sent yet another long ball over the center field fence. Natalia was able to get out of the inning thanks to a defensive play by Alvarado and two strike-outs by Garza.
The Lady Stangs stranded two runners in the bottom of the 2nd inning before holding Churchill scoreless in the 3rd inning.
Natalia began to take this game over in the bottom of the 3rd inning. After watching B. Figueroa fly out, Natalia was able to score four straight runs. Trista Vera got on base thanks to being hit by a pitch, as Garza singled, Bryanna Perez got on with a walk allowing Gabby Contreras to come up to bat with the bases loaded. Contreras sent a long ball to the center field fence scoring in three runs for Natalia. Contreras later scored thanks to a Woodson single. Alvarado also scored the fifth and final run of the inning, after she got on thanks to a walk and advanced on an error, the Woodson single and a passed ball. This allowed the girls in blue to take an 8-2 lead into the 4th inning of play.
The final damage for the girls in blue came in the bottom of the 4th. Natalia scored two final runs, thanks to a Garza double, a Perez single and a big double by freshman Alvarado who finished the game going 4-4. This fueled the Lady Stangs to a 10-2 victory.
“Defensively, we were able to see some kids in different spots and in the battling line-up,” Bednorz said. “Overall, it was a good game with a lot of opportunities for each player to get reps.”
At Bat: Garza 3-3-2RBIs, Ally Chavana 0-1, Vera 0-2-1run scored, Alvarado 4-4-1RBI-2runs scored, Gaby Munoz 0-3, Contreras 2-3-1run scored, M. Figueroa 0-1-run scored, KK Lara 0-1-1run scored, Perez 2-3-1RBI-2runs scored, Zita Perez 0-2, Woodson 3-5-2RBIs, Dez Perez 0-0-2runs scored and B. Figueroa 1-2.
Defensive Put-Outs: Perez 7, Contreras 4, Garza 4, B. Figueroa 3, Alvarado 2.
By Eric Smith