The Natalia Lady Mustangs were able to claim four victories over two days as they won their home tournament last weekend. Natalia was able to defeat Devine (game tied, but won due to runner advancement), Southwest, D’Hanis and LaVernia en route to the tournament title. Leading the way for the girls in blue, were juniors Taty Alvarado who was named All-Tourney for her offensive production and Junior Abi Woodson who led the defense on the mound for the Lady Stangs.
“With two starters out to Regional Powerlifting, I could not be more proud of our girls for stepping up and taking care of business,” Natalia Head Coach Tara Cortinas said. “The best thing about winning the tourney was our girls worked together through the good and the bad. They stood by each other and that team effort was evident when we had young players make huge plays this past weekend.”
Devine-Natalia opened the tournament Friday morning against the Devine Arabians in a re-match from the season opener. Natalia fared much better defensively, but struggled offensively vs. the freshman Barnett. Devine was able to take a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning, as they used a walk by Schneider and a Natalia error put into play by Runyan to score their lone run of the game.
Natalia responded with a run of their own in the top of the 4th, as they used a Woodson walk, two stolen bases and a big double by Mena Figueroa to tie the game.
When time expired (1 hour and 15 mins), the game was tied. Natalia ended up with the win, due to the fact they had more runners advance than Devine. Natalia had five runners reach base including four reach 2nd and two reach third. Devine had only three batters reach base with all three reaching 2nd and two reaching third.
Woodson finished the game allowing one hit, walking one, striking out six and allowing one unearned run. Hits for Natalia were earned by Kody Blanquis (2), Figueroa and Alvarado.
Defensive Leaders: Put-Outs: Trista Vera 5, Blanquiz 3, Reagan Juarez 2, Sky Gallegos 2, Woodson 1. Assists: Woodson 1, Trina Vera 1.
Southwest-The second and final game on Friday was a dandy between the Lady Mustangs and 5A Southwest. Natalia got off to a hot start vs. the Lady Dragons, as they scored two runs in their opening at bat courtesy of a Woodson walk and a home-run by Mena Figueroa over the left field fence.
SW responded in the bottom of the 1st, as they used two singles, a walk and a double to take a 3-2 lead.
Natalia did their final damage in the top of the 3rd inning, as they used a Trista Vera single, walks by Valerie Carrion and Sky Gallegos and a clutch single up the middle by Reagan Juarez to score in four total runs allowing Natalia to take a 6-3 lead.
In the bottom of the 3rd, SW was able to produce two runs thanks to four singles, but Natalia finished the inning and the threat with a K by Woodson and an F-3 defensive out to secure the 6-5 victory over the Lady Dragons.
Woodson finished the game allowing seven hits, walked one, struck out four and allowed five earned runs.
At bat: Blanquiz 1-1, Juarez 1-1-1RBI, Trista Vera 1-3-1run scored, Gallegos 0-0-1run scored, Figueroa 1-3-1HR-2RBIs-1run scored, Trina Vera 0-2, Woodson 0-0-1run scored, Carrion 0-0-1run scored and Alvarado 1-2.
Defensive stats: Put-Outs: Trista Vera 4, Blanquiz 3, Alvarado 1, Gallegos 1. Assists: Figueroa 1.
D’Hanis- Saturday morning the Natalia Lady Mustangs dominated the D’Hanis Cowgirls in every aspect of the game. Natalia out-hit the Cowgirls 13-1 en route to a 16-0 victory in just 4-innings of play.
Natalia’s Woodson allowed the single hit which came in the 4th, walked 0 and struck out 11 batters during the contest.
Offensively, junior Alvarado was on fire as she went 4-4-2singles-2doubles-1RBI and scored four runs in the game.
At bat-Blanquiz 2-3-2RBIs-3runs scored, Juarez 0-2, Trista Vera 1-3-1RBI-1run scored, Gallegos 0-2-1RBI, Figueroa 2-2-4runs scored, Trina Vera 2-2-1RBI-1run scored, Woodson 0-2-1RBI-2runs scored, Carrion 2-3-1RBI-1run scored, Carrion 2-3-1RBI-1run scored and Alvarado 4-4-1RBI-4runs scored.
Defensive stats: Put-Outs- Trista Vera 11, Gallegos 1.
LaVernia- The tournament rounded out for Natalia on Saturday against the traditionally tough LaVernia Lady Bears.
After holding LV scoreless in their opening at bat, Natalia got things started as junior Alvarado continued her offensive firepower with a lead-off home-run over center field. Natalia then used a Woodson walk and a Mena Figueroa single to take a 2-0 lead vs. the Lady Bears.
LV rallied back in the 5th inning with two outs as they used a hit batter and a couple of Natalia defensive errors to tie the game at 2-2.
Natalia finished the game with a big 5th inning, as senior Val Carrion started the at bat with a double. One wild pitch later, Reagan Juarez had her second clutch single of the tourney to score in Carrion giving Natalia a 3-2 victory as time expired.
Natalia finished the game out-hitting the Lady Bears 5-2 although Natalia did have two defensive errors. Woodson pitched 5.0, allowed two hits, struck out eight and allowed the two unearned runs.
At bat- Blanquiz 0-2-1RBI, Juarez 1-2-1RBI, Trista Vera 0-1, Gallegos 0-2, Figueroa 1-2, Trina Vera 0-2, Woodson 0-1-1run scored, Carrion 1-2-1run scored, Alvarado 2-2-1HR-1RBI-1run scored.
Defensive stats: Put-Outs- Trista Vera 8, Blanquiz 4, Alvarado 2, Figueroa 1. Assists- Trina Vera 3, Woodson 3.
“Woodson was phenomenal on the mound and did a great job of adjusting under pressure and always gave her defense credit for backing her up,” Cortinas said. “Offensively, each player in our line-up contributed when it mattered most. We are working to be more consistent with our bats from top to bottom as we head into district.”
Upcoming Games
On press day, Natalia was in Atascosa County opening district play vs. Jourdanton. This Friday, March 12th the Lady Stangs return home to host rival Lytle at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 16th district continues in the Strawberry Capital as Natalia battles the Poteet Lady Aggies at 7:00 p.m.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer