The Natalia Mustangs (7-5-1) won their lone non-district game of the week last week as they picked up a lop-sided home contest versus St. Anthony. Natalia was able to out-hit the Jackets 12-1 en route to a six-inning run rule victory 10-0.
“I was pleased we came out and took care of business,” Coach Jeff Terry said.
Natalia’s Jeremiah Castro got the start for the Stangs, as he pitched the first 3.0 innings of the contest. He allowed 0 hits, walked one and struck out five. Catcher Diego Zapata rounded things out, as he pitched 3.0, allowed one hit, walked one and had 7 Ks in the contest.
Defensively, St. Anthony had just three batters reach 1st base throughout the entire six innings with none advancing past 1st base.
Natalia scored two runs in their opening at bat. They used a Matt Contreras single, a Castro double, a stolen base and a ground-out to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Stangs got in full control in the bottom of the 2nd. Natalia used a Joel Mendez walk, a Gavin Martinez walk, an AJ Felker single, a Contreras double and a Castro double to score four additional runs giving Natalia the 6-0 lead.
The Stangs went on to add two runs in the 3rd and two in the 6th to finish off the Jackets 10-0.
“We still have some areas we need to brush up on as we prepare to enter district play this week,” Terry said.
At Bat: Zapata 0-3-1RBI, Manuel Garcia 2-3-3RBIs, Castro 3-4-3RBIs-2runs scored, Mendez 0-1-1run scored, Contreras 3-4-2RBIs-3runs scored, Martinez 0-1, Felker 1-3-2runs scored, Jake Navarro 0-2-2runs scored and Jeremiah Gomez 0-3.
Defensive Put-Outs: Garcia 7, Zapata 5, Felker 3, Mendez 1, Castro 1. Assists: Contreras 1, Castro 1.
Upcoming Games
The Mustangs opened District 30-3A action on press night on the road in Frio County versus Dilley. On Friday, March 29th the Mustangs will welcome the Lytle Pirates to town for their first district meeting on the diamond since the mid 1990s. The JV is set for 4:30 p.m. with the varsity set for 7:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, April 2nd the Natalia Mustangs travel to Atascosa County to face the Jourdanton Indians for a 4:30 p.m. and a 7:00 p.m. district battle.
By Eric Smith