Natalia Softball works past J-Town

The #18 state ranked Natalia Lady Mustangs (15-3-2, 7-1) did not play flawlessly last Thursday evening at home, but they did enough to pick up a lopsided 9-3 victory over the visiting Jourdanton Squaws. Natalia out-hit J-Town 8-6 as the girls in blue did end up with one more defensive error than the girls from Atascosa County. At the end of the day, the Lady Stangs took another step in the right direction in their race toward a 27-3A title.
Abigayle Woodson pitched 7.0 innings for Natalia, as she allowed six hits, walked one, struck out eight and allowed three runs only two of which were earned.
After shutting down J-Town to start the game using two Ks and a fly out to left field, Natalia’s offense went to work.
Natalia used a Taty Alvarado triple, an error put into play by Trista Vera, a double by Mena Figueroa and a two-run homerun by Gabi Munoz to take an early 4-0 lead.
Natalia shut down the Squaws in the top of the second, thanks to a ground out to Alvarado and two more Woodson Ks.
Natalia took command of the game in the bottom of the 2nd. Natalia used a two-out rally consisting of a Woodson single, a triple by Trista Vera and a Mena Figueroa homerun to take a 7-0 lead.
Jourdanton scored their first run in the top of the 3rd, thanks to a double, a ground out and an error.
Natalia’s 8th run of the game came in the bottom of the 4th, thanks to an Alvarado triple and a wild-pitch.
Jourdanton did their final damage in the top of the 6th, as they used a homerun by Dorroh, singles by Vickers and Buones, and a double by Elizondo to score two final runs.
Natalia’s final run came in the bottom of the 6th, as they used a Sky Gallegos walk and a few Jourdanton miscues to score.
No one scored in the 7th as Natalia held on for the 9-3 victory, sweeping the Squaws for the season.
At bat: Kody Blanquiz 0-2, Trista Vera 1-3-1RBI-2runs scored, Munoz 2-3-1HR-2RBIs-1run scored, Gallegos 0-2, Figueroa 2-3-1HR-3RBIs-2runs scored, Trina Vera 0-3, Woodson 1-2-2RBIs-1run scored, Martina Billalobos 0-2, Alvarado 2-3-2runs scored.
Upcoming Games
Natalia was on the road on press night as 27-3A continued with a road game vs. the Lytle Lady Pirates.
Friday, April 9th Natalia travels to the Strawberry Capital to battle Poteet before hitting the road Tuesday to Karnes City to battle the Lady Badgers.
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer