The Natalia Lady Mustangs (8-3-1) battled through three days of competitive softball in Atascosa County last weekend. Natalia was able to finish the tourney with two victories, two losses and one tie during the three day event.
The girls in blue will be short handed due to Regional Powerlifting this coming Thursday and Friday, but will travel to Guadalupe County for their stiffest competition of the season in what will be their final tournament event.
“We saw some great competition and we are proud of our girl’s fight as a team,” Coach Tara Cortinas said. “Great things are happening and we are finding a way to get better each and every day.”
Natalia began the tournament last Thursday vs. state ranked and #2 San Antonio Area Ranked Medina Valley (13-0). Natalia took a quick 2-0 lead vs. the Lady Panthers, but a few miscues and a number of solid hits allowed MV to surge ahead 4-2 in the 1st inning.
Medina Valley went on to defeat Natalia in a very competitive game 6-3 as MV out-hit Natalia 11-8.
Mena Figueroa, Biviana Figueroa and Abi Woodson led the offense with two hits each. Woodson pitched 6.0, allowed 11 hits, 6 runs, 4 of which were earned while striking out 4, walking 2 and allowing 1 home-run.
The final game Thursday pitted Natalia vs. county foe Hondo. The Lady Stangs were able to edge the Owls 6-5 in the hit category allowing for a 6-5 six inning victory.
Trista Vera and Woodson led the offense with two hits each as Woodson got the win on the mound. She pitched 7.0, allowed 5 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), struck out 5 and walked 1.
The Lady Mustang offense had their best outing of the weekend on Friday vs traditionally tough Navarro. The Lady Stangs belted 13 hits en route to a lop-sided 17-1 victory over the Lady Panthers.
Offensive highlights included a three run home-run for Vera as she finished 2-4-4RBIs. Sisters Mena and Biviana Figueroa also led the offense with 3 hits each during the game.
Woodson pitched 4.0, allowed 2 hits, 1 earned run, struck out 7 and walked 0 during the win.
The final game of the day on Friday was between Natalia and Holy Cross. This turned into a defensive battle as the Lady Stangs and the Lady Knights finished in a 2-2 tie. Natalia finished with a 5-4 edge when it came to hits.
Marina Billalobos led the offense with two hits. Woodson pitched 6.0 innings, allowed 4 hits, walked 1 and struck out 8 allowing 2 earned runs.
Navarro was able to get revenge on Natalia in a huge way on Saturday as the Lady Panthers shocked the girls in blue 5-4.
The Lady Mustangs overcame an early two run deficit to score one run in the bottom of 3rd inning thanks to KK Lara hit by a pitch and a Taty Alvarado single.
The girls in blue then used a Woodson base on balls, an error put into play by Billalobos, a Bryanna Perez single and a two-run home-run by Gabby Santoya to take a 4-2 lead. This lead stood, until the final inning of play.
Navarro’s Stevens blasted a three run home-run in the 7th to lift the Lady Panthers to a 5-4 victory over Natalia.
Natalia out-hit Navarro 8-6 and also had 0 errors compared to 3 by Navarro. Alvarado, Woodson and Perez led the offense with two hits each. Woodson pitched 7.0, allowed 6 hits, walked 2, struck out 10 during the loss.
Santoya and Woodson were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Note: Complete game reports will start back up next week. Time was limited on the writer’s end.
Upcoming Games
Natalia was in Hondo on press night for a second game of the season vs. the Owls.
This coming weekend, Natalia will meet their match with plenty of stiff competition in the Seguin Tournament.
Natalia opens the tournament Thursday with an 8:00 a.m. battle vs the traditionally tough 5A Lockhart Lions. Natalia then battles #7 SA Area Ranked 6A East Central (7-3) at 11:00 a.m.
Natalia returns to action Friday at 9:30 a.m. vs. the 5A Kerrville Tivy Lady Antlers before a battle vs. 6A Madison at 2:00 p.m.
The final day of action pits Natalia vs. Boerne at 2:00 p.m. before battling SA Area #4 New Braunfels Canyon (8-4) at 5:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, Natalia will welcome state ranked and defending state champion D’Hanis at 6:30 p.m. in a fun non-district battle which will feature former Natalia Coach Jose Martinez against former Natalia Athlete Tara Cortinas and the Lady Mustangs.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer