The Littlefield Lady Cats’ varsity softball team fell on the road on Tuesday to the Lamesa Lady Tornadoes, 12-2, in their district-opener.
With the loss, the Lady Cats fall to 5-3 overall, 0-1 in district play.
Mykenzie Price drew a lead-off walk in the top of the first inning and took second on a short past ball and third on a walk by senior, Geyah Garza, putting runners on the corners for Littlefield. Garza took second on a pitch, before sophomore, Cadence Sanchez, struck out swinging for out number one.
Junior, Brookelyn Gau, hit a chopper over the pitcher and a throwing error to first allowed two runs to score, putting the Lady Cats in front, 2-0. Malorie Garcia grounded out to second and sophomore, Kaeleigh Logan, struck out looking to retire the side.
In the bottom half of the first, Gau got the lead-off batter to pop up to Sanchez in foul territory at first base for out number one. The next batter lined out to Tricia Torres in center field for out number two and the three-hole hitter singled over Torres in right center field, but she was canned at second by sophomore, Madison McNeese, as Garza was there for the tag to end the inning.
Jadeyn Merrill entered the circle to begin the second inning for Lamesa, as she got Torres to ground out to second base to lead off the second inning. McNeese singled on a short pop up that fell between shortstop and third base, but Julie Rodriguez struck out swinging and Price grounded out to shortstop to retire the side.
Lamesa’s lead off batter in the bottom of the second inning singled to Rodriguez at second base and the next batter laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by Gau and thrown to first for the out. Lamesa then ripped an RBI-double over Torres in center field to cut the lead to, 2-1, and they followed it up with a single through the left side, moving the lead runner over to third.
The Lady Tornadoes hit a sacrifice grounder to Rodriguez, who got the out at first for out number two, as Lamesa tied the game, 2-2. Gau got the next batter to pop up to Sanchez at first to end the inning.
Merrill retired Garza, Sanchez and Gau on strikeouts in the top of the third inning and the Lady Tornadoes took the lead in the bottom half of the side, before Gau got a Lamesa hitter to strikeout swinging to end the inning with Lamesa in front, 4-2.
In the top of the fourth inning, Garcia was thrown out at first on a dropped third strike and Logan and Torres struck out swinging to retire the side.
Lamesa added five runs in the bottom of the inning, including a three-run home run by Merrill to push their lead out to, 9-2.
Littlefield’s offensive struggles continued, as McNeese, Zoe Garcia and Price went down swinging in the top of the fifth to retire the side.
Lamesa would tack on three runs in the bottom of the inning to run rule the Lady Cats, 12-2, in their district-opener.
Gau pitched 4.1 innings for the Lady Cats, giving up 12 runs and one walk, while earning two strikeouts on the day.
The Lady Cats were at Brownfield on Saturday. Results were not available at press time. They will continue their season on Tuesday with a home game against Denver City.
First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.