The Littlefield Lady Cats’ varsity softball team run ruled the Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles on Saturday, 13-3, at Lady Cat Field in Littlefield.
With the win, the Lady Cats improve to 4-3 overall on the season.
Lubbock Christian opened the game with a two-run top of the first inning and the Lady Cats went down in order in the bottom half of the side, making the score, 2-0, heading into the top of the second inning. Natalia Sanchez struck out the side in the top of the second inning and in the bottom half of the side, Katelyn Gau singled past third to give the Lady Cats a base runner.
Natalia Sanchez and Tricia Torres drew back-to-back walks to load the bases for Littlefield and Alex Tenorio singled on an error by the right fielder to bring in a run, trimming the lead to, 2-1. Abigail Ybarbo hit into a fielders choice to the pitcher, who went home with the ball for the force out for out number one. Taryn Golden struck out looking for out number two, but MyKenzie Price hit a two-RBI double down the left-field line to put the Lady Cats in front, 3-2.
Cadence Sanchez followed it up with an RBI-single on an error that was dropped by the second baseman, making the score, 4-2, with two outs. Price scored on a fake throw down by LCHS, as Cadence Sanchez stole second on the play, with their lead pushed to, 5-2. The two-out rally continued, as Brookelyn Gau hit an RBItriple to right field, on a ball that got by the right fielder, stretching their lead to, 6-2. Katelyn Gau hit a grounder to third base, but a throwing error to first kept the inning alive, as the Lady Cats pushed their lead to, 7-2.
Natalia Sanchez would strike out looking to end the inning, but not before the damage had been done for the Lady Cats.
The Lady Eagles would add one run in the top of the third inning, but that is all the Lady Cat defense would allow, making the score, 7- 3.
In the bottom of the third inning, Torres grounded out to third for out number one, but Tenorio drew a walk and Ybarbo hit a grounded to shortstop, who went to second on the fielder’s choice, but overthrew second, putting runners on the corners for Littlefield.
Ybarbo took second on a pitch, before Golden struck out swinging, however a dropped third strike allowed her to try for first and the throw to first was overthrown by the catcher, allowing two runs to score, stretching their lead to, 9-3. Price popped p to the catcher for out number two and Cadence Sanchez was thrown out at second trying to take second on a walk to end the inning.
The Littlefield defense kept the LCHS offense off the board in the top of the fourth inning and in the bottom half of the fourth, with a new pitcher, Brookelyn Gau struck out swinging for out number one. Katelyn Gau ripped a triple down the first-base line. Natalia Sanchez laid down a swinging bunt and was tagged out by the catcher for out number two.
Torres singled on a throwing error from third to first, as Katelyn Gau scored to make the score, 10- 3, but Torres was stranded on base, as Tenorio struck out looking to end the inning.
The Lady Cat defense kept the Lady Eagles quiet in the top of the fifth and in the bottom of the inning, Ybarbo led things off with a triple down the left-field line. Alex Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly ball to center field that allowed the run to tag up and score from third to stretch their lead to, 11-3, with one out.
Price singled on an error by the shortstop and took second on a pitch and scored from second on a past ball as the pitcher didn’t cover the plate, making the score, 12-3. Cadence Sanchez singled on an error by the shortstop and Brookelyn Gau walked it off with a shot down the first-base line to score Cadence Sanchez from third, as the Lady Cats run ruled LCHS, 13-3.
Natalia Sanchez pitched a complete game for the Lady Cats earning seven strikeouts, while giving up just one walk and three runs.
The Lady Cats were at Floydada on Tuesday to take on the Lady Winds. Results were not available at press time. They will continue their season on Thursday when they begin play at the Seminole Tournament.