The Natalia Lady Mustangs competed in their home tournament last Thursday and Saturday. Natalia finished the weekend 2-2 overall to finish the weekend with a 6-9-1 overall weekend.
Devine– Natalia battled the Devine Arabians for the second time in a week and this time around, it was the Arabians who got revenge. Devine was able to out-hit Natalia en route to a 6-4 three and a half inning battle.
Devine struck first in the bottom of the 2nd, as they used an Esquibel single and a Featherly single to take a 1-0 lead. The girls in blue responded with a big inning in the top of the 3rd. Natalia rallied with two outs, to score three runs on a Kira Jimenez error put into play, a Yahdi Lujan walk, a Taty Alvarado walk and a Marina Billalobos walk.
Devine charged back ahead of Natalia in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The Arabians scored five big runs off a Rodriguez single, a Blanton double, a Rios double, an Esquivel triple, a Dugosh walk and a Valle double to take the 6-3 lead.
In what would be Natalia’s final at bat in the top of the 4th, the Lady Stangs scored a run off an Araceley Segovia walk and a Meg Martinez single to get within 6-4. This is as close as Natalia would get.
Billalobos finished the game allowing nine hits, six earned runs, struck out three and walked two.
Cole-In Natalia’s second game of the tourney, the Lady Mustangs battled Ft. Sam Houston Cole. After a scoreless 1st inning, the girls in blue belted out hit after hit scoring six runs in the 2nd inning pacing themselves to a 11-3 victory. Natalia finished with a 6-4 hit advantage and they forced three additional errors on the Lady Cougar defense.
Accounting hot hits for Natalia included Jimenez, Lujan, Alvarado, Billalobos, Anaya Jones, Martinez and Marissa Castro.
Billalobos finished the game allowing four hits, three runs 0 of which were earned and struck out four with four walks.
Uvalde– Saturday morning Natalia began action vs. the Uvalde Lobos. Uvalde started the game off hot with three runs in their first at bat and never looked back. The Maroon and White were able to defeat Natalia 7-0. Uvalde finished the game out-hitting the Lady Mustangs 10-3.
Jimenez, Lujan and Isabel Laque accounted for hits during the contest. Billalobos pitched 4.0, allowed ten hits, seven earned runs, struck out two and walked two in the game.
Poteet– Natalia finished the tournament with a .500% by defeating the Poteet Lady Aggies getting revenge from the week prior. Natalia’s bats came out hot as they accounted for ten runs in their opening at bat thanks to two walks, three singles, three doubles and two errors. Natalia never looked back en route to a big 14-6 victory. Natalia finished the game out-hitting the Atascosa County squad 13-6 and forced three additional errors on the defense. Natalia’s defense had four errors in the contest.
Hits– Lujan led the offense with three hits, as Alvarado, Sky Gallegos, Jones and Kendall Tanner had two each. Billalobos finished the game allowing six hits, six runs, two of which were earned with two Ks and three walks.
Upcoming Games-Natalia opened 27-3A action on press night on the road vs. the Jourdanton Squaws. Friday, March 11th Natalia is back on the road vs. the Poth Pirettes before hosting rival Lytle Monday, March 14th at 1:00 p.m.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer