The Littlefield Lady Cats’ varsity softball team fell to the Lamesa Lady Tornadoes on the road on Friday, 10-1, in their second meeting of the season.
With the loss, the Lady Cats fall to 10-7 overall, 3-3 in district play.
The Lady Cats struggled offensively in this contest, as Lamesa pitcher Jadeyn Merrill got MyKenzie Price, Cadence Sanchez and Brookelyn Gau to strike out swinging in the top of the first inning.
However, in the bottom of the first inning, Cadence Sanchez and the Lady Cat defense were able to keep Lamesa off the board. Lexi Hernandez singled on an error by Julie Rodriguez behind first base, but Laila Vasquez popped up to Rodriguez behind first base and she threw to first to double up Hernandez, giving them two outs.
Amaya Vasquez popped up to Taryn Golden in foul territory at third base to end the inning.
In the top of the second inning, Katelyn Gau struck out swinging for out number one, but Natalia Sanchez reached base on a dropped third strike that got away from Amaya Vasquez behind the plate, giving the Lady Cats their first base runner of the game. Natalia Sanchez took second on a pitch, but she would be stranded on second, as Tricia Torres and Golden both struck out swinging to retire the side.
Lamesa got going in the bottom of the second, as Merrill led things off with a solo home run to left field to make the score, 1-0. Zoey Sifuentes doubled past Natalia Sanchez at shortstop, but Emily Capetillo flew out to deep left field, allowing Sifuentes to tag up and take third on the play with one out.
Layla Torres ripped an RBI-single over third base to extend their lead to, 2-0, and Kayleigh Sanchez followed it up with an RBI-double on a fielder’s choice by Cadence Sanchez in the circle, who made a bad throw to second, allowing another run to score, stretching the lead to, 3-0.
Aliyah Morales popped up on the first-base line, but it was dropped by Cadence Sanchez for a fair ball, however she was able to recover and throw out Kayleigh Sanchez at third for out number two. Hernandez hit a shot to the left side that was kept on the infield by Natalia Sanchez on a diving stop, but she couldn’t make a play. Laila Vasquez lined out to Price in left field to end the inning.
In the top of the third, the offensive struggles continued for Littlefield, as Rodriguez struck out looking for out number one. Kaeleigh Logan drew a walk, as Arianna Cruz came on as the courtesy runner for the catcher. But, Price struck out swinging for out number two. Cruz took second on a past ball, before Cadence Sanchez drew a walk to put runners on first and second for the Lady Cats.
But the runners would be left on, as Brookelyn Gau struck out swinging to retire the side.
Both teams went scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning.
Layla Torres popped up to Cadence Sanchez in the circle for out number one, but Kayleigh Sanchez singled on an error by Natalia Sanchez at shortstop, however she tried to take second on a bad throw back to the pitcher and was thrown out at second by Logan for out number two.
Morales reached base on a dropped pop up by Rodriguez at second base and Hernandez and Laila Vasquez had back-to-back singles through the left side to load the bases. Amaya Vasquez promptly unloaded the bases with a grand slam to left field, pushing their lead to, 7-0.
Cadence Sanchez would recover, as she got Merrill to pop up to Price in shallow left field to end the inning.
The teams went scoreless again until the top of the sixth inning, when the Lady Cats were finally able to break through.
Price led things off with a double on an error by Morales in right field and Cadence Sanchez followed it up with an RBI-single to center field. She took second on the throw home, trimming the lead to, 7-1. Cadence Sanchez would take third before Brookelyn Gau struck out for out number one.
Katelyn Gau and Natalia Sanchez would also strike out to retire the side.
Lamesa would add three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, and hold Littlefield scoreless in the top of the seventh to take the contest, 10-1.
Cadence Sanchez started in the circle for the Lady Cats, where she pitched four innings, giving up seven runs and one walk. Brookelyn Gau came on in relief duty, pitching two innings, earning three strikeouts, while giving up three runs.
The Lady Cats were at Brownfield on Tuesday. Results were not available at press time. They will continue their season on Saturday with a home game against Denver City.
First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.