It was a battle for the district 27-3A lead last Tuesday night, March 23rd in Wilson County vs. Poth who entered the game undefeated in district alongside Natalia and Cotulla. When the 7-inning battle came to an end, Poth proved they were one of the top 3-teams Natalia had faced this season.
What Natalia proved was, they were the better fielding, hitting, and pitching teams in 27-3A resulting in a dominating 13-3 victory over the Pirettes.
“Our girls were ready to do whatever it takes to win this game,” Head Coach Tara Cortinas said.
Don’t allow the score to fool you, as this one was close early on. Natalia was able to strike first in their opening at bat, as Taty Alvarado opened the heavy hitter ballgame with a double to left field. Alvarado was moved thanks to a stolen base and scored on a single by Trista Vera.
Poth was able to make noise in their opening at bat, as they put a number of runners on thanks to two hits and a Natalia error, but the play of the inning was a tag out at home plate preventing Poth from scoring.
Natalia went back to work in the top of the 2nd inning, as Kody Blanquiz started the inning with a double to left field. She stole 2nd base before scoring on a pass ball to take a 2-0 lead vs. the Pirettes.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Woodson was able to strike two out of three batters out as Munoz caught a fly ball for the remaining out.
The Lady Mustangs continued to work offensively, as they rallied with two outs. Natalia used a Trista Vera single, a stolen base and a Mena Figueroa single to take a 3-0 lead.
Natalia’s lead would stand at 3-1 going into the 6th inning before the girls in blue came alive again on offense. Natalia used a Trina Vera single, a Gallegos single, an error put into play by Lara, a single by Alvarado, an error put into play by Woodson, and two base on balls to score in four big runs allowing for a 7-0 lead and also forcing a pitching change.
In the bottom of the 6th, Poth managed two get one on base courtesy of a walk, but could not produce anything else.
The girls in blue did their final damage in the top of the 7th with a huge inning once again forcing an additional pitching change. NHS used a Gallegos double, a KK Lara double, a base on balls by Alvarado, a single by Woodson, a single by Trista Vera, a double by Figueroa and a single by Blanquiz to score six final runs en route to their 13 runs of offense.
Poth scored two final runs in the bottom of the 7th courtesy of a dropped 3rd strike out, base on balls and a single. Natalia finished the game as Alvarado made a routine out on a hard-hit ground ball for out #3 as Natalia defeated the Pirettes 13-3
Natalia finished the game outhitting the Pirettes 17-4 forcing an additional five errors on the Poth defense. Natalia defense did surrender 2 errors.
“Offensive sacrifices gave us the momentum we needed,” Cortinas said. “Really proud of the girls for doing their job moving advancing their runners and executing with runners in scoring position.”
At bat- Blanquiz 2-4-1RBI-1run scored, Trista Vera 3-4-2RBIs-3runs scored, Alvarado 2-4-2RBIs-3runs scored, Munoz 1-3-1RBI, Gallegos 3-4-1RBI-2runs scored, Figueroa 4-5-1RBI-1run scored, Lara 1-5-1RRBI-1trun scored, Trina Vera 3-4-1run scored, Woodson 2-4-3RBIs-1run scored.
Put-Outs- Vera 10, Munoz 6, Alvarado 2, Lara, Trina Vera and Blanquiz 1 each. Assists- Blanquiz 4, Woodson 2, Alvarado 1 and Gallegos 1.
Woodson pitched 7.0 allowing four hits, walked 2 and struck out 11 allowing 2 “un-earned” runs.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer