Mustangs dominate Cole to force District play-off

Catcher Gabe Figueroa prepares to frame a strike. More photos available in our online store!

The Natalia Mustangs needed an afternoon victory at Ft. Sam Houston to force a playoff for 2nd place in 26-3A last Friday. The Mustangs did not disappoint, as they dominated the home squad Cole Cougars. The Stangs out-hit the Cougars 13-0 en route to a five inning run rule victory.
Rey Garza started on the mound for the Mustangs and threw 3.0 innings to lead the defensive errors that afternoon. He pitched 3.0, allowed no hits, walked one and struck out five in the game.
The final 2.0 was pitched by Nathan Vasquez, who allowed no hits, walked no one and struck out four.
Defensively, the Mustangs backed their pitchers up for the most part with 15 put-outs and just two defensive errors. Catcher Javier Hernandez led the charge with nine of the fifteen put-outs as pitcher Garza had three assists.
Offensively, Natalia scored in each of the five innings scoring two in the 1st, four in the 2nd, seven in the 3rd, one in the 4th and four in the 5th inning to work past Cole 18-0.
“Jeramiah Castro led the way for us offensively,” Coach Philip Martinez said. “It was good to see him get back on track. We are able to do more things when we have runners on and this allows us to keep opposing defenses on their toes.”
Castro had a great day at the plate going 3-4-4RBIs-3runs scored as Garza also had a good showing offensively going 4-5-3RBIs.
At Bat: Manuel Saldana 1-2-3RBIs-4runs scored, Anton Felker 2-2-1RBI-3runs scored, Matt Contreras 0-0-1run scored, Isaiah Gomez 0-0-1run scored, Hernandez 1-3, Antonio Trevino 1-2-2runs scored, Nathan Vasquez 1-4-2RBIs-1run scored, Alex Valdez 0-3-1RBI-1run scored and Dustin Richardson 0-1-1RBI-2runs scored. Defensive Put-Outs: Valdez 3, Garza 1, Castro 1, Richardson 1. Assists- Vasquez 2, Valdez 2, Hernandez 1, Castro 1.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer