The Natalia Mustangs dropped their second game in 27-3A last Tuesday, March 23rd in Natalia vs. district playoff contender Poth. Natalia was outhit 9-3 as the Pirate defense forced an additional three errors on the Natalia defense en route to an 8-0 win at Mustang Field.
“We suffered a tough loss against a good Poth team as we struggled at the plate and did not capitalize on defense,” Natalia Head Coach Kasey Crowther said.
Natalia used three different pitchers to try and slow the Poth offensive execution. Natalia’s Joseph Blanquiz pitched 5.1 innings as he allowed six hits, walked two, struck out two and allowed six runs, five of which were earned. Manuel Garcia pitched 1.2, allowed three hits, struck out three and allowed two earned runs.
The Poth offense struck in the 1st and 5th innings scoring two runs in each before a huge 6th inning where they scored six to put the game away.
Natalia’s opportunities on offense were few and far between, as they only stranded one runner in the 1st inning, one in the 3rd, two in the 6th and one in the 7th in their 8-0 loss.
“Our bats have to come alive if we want to compete in our district,” Crowther said.
At bat: Natalia’s Wyatt Owens, Xavier Vasquez and Gavin Martinez were the three Mustangs who accounted for hits vs. Poth.
Defensive put-outs: Jacob Navarro 5, Garcia 5, Owens 2, Sonny Rymers 1. Assists: Joseph Blanquiz 3, Jaieden Burford 1, Garcia 1.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer