The Natalia Mustangs dropped a pair of games in the shortened Pearsall Tournament last Thursday and Friday. The boys in blue dropped an 8-2 game vs. Devine, before being blanked 6-0 vs. Pleasanton on Friday.
“We are excited to begin district play this week vs. the reigning district champion Lytle,” Coach Kasey Crowther said. “We have learned a lot about ourselves over the past few weeks and I hope this experience puts us in contention in our tough district.”
Devine – After a scoreless opening at bat between Devine and Natalia, the Mustangs were able to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning before Devine tied things 1-1 in the bottom of the 3rd.
Both teams would add a run in the 4th inning, which sent a 2-2 game into the final at bat. The wheels fell off for the boys in blue in the 5th, as Devine scored six runs en route to an 8-2 victory.
Devine finished the game out-hitting Natalia 9-6 as the Horses forced four additional errors on the Natalia defense.
Schneider led the Warhorse offense with two hits, as Guardiola, White, Brumnage, Zapata, Gutierrez, Ramirez and Friesenhahn had one hit each.
Wootan led the Natalia offense with two hits, as Buentello, Rymers, Laque and Sanchez added hits.
Ramirez pitched 3.2 for Devine, as he allowed five hits, two runs one of which was earned, struck out three and walked no one. Camarillo pitched 1.1, allowed one hit, struck out one and walked one.
Blanquiz pitched 4.0, allowed eight hits, eight runs four of which were earned, struck out one and walked two. Rymers pitched .1, allowed one hit and struck out one.
Pleasanton – The Natalia Mustangs held their four through 4-innings against the always talented Pleasanton Eagles. P-Town scored a run in their opening at bat and that 1-0 lead held going to the 5th.
Pleasanton went on to add two runs in the 5th and three in the 6th to work past Natalia 6-0. Pleasanton finished the game out-hitting Natalia 11-6 as the Mustang defense had two errors.
Garcia led the offense for Natalia with two hits, as Banda, Saldana, Wooten and Velasquez added one each.
Garcia pitched 2.0, allowed five hits, three runs and struck out two. Rymers pitched 4.0, allowed six hits, three runs two of which were earned and struck out five walking two.
Upcoming Games – Natalia was at home on press day against rival Lytle. This Thursday, March 17th the Stangs return to action at 1:00 p.m. vs. the Karnes City Badgers.
Tuesday, March 22nd Natalia hosts the Dilley Grey Wolves at 7:00 p.m.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer