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OUT AT THE FENCE – Littlefield sophomore right fielder, Madison McNeese, catches a ball in the shadow of the fence for an out, during the top of the fourth inning of the Lady Cats’, 8-5, loss to the Brownfield Lady Cubs on Tuesday at Lady Cat Field. (Staff Photo by Derek Lopez)
The Littlefield Lady Cats’ varsity softball team fell short against the Brownfield Lady Cubs on Tuesday, 8-5, in their second meeting of district play.
With the loss, the Lady Cats fall to 8-6 overall, 3-4 in district play.
Ashley Ramirez opened the contest for Brownfield with a single to right field. She took second on a pitch and third on a past ball, before Abcde Garcia hit an RBI-single deep in the hole to Julie Rodrigeuz at second base, beating the throw to first, as Ramirez scored to make the game, 1-0.
Brianne Franco popped up to Geyah Garza at shortstop for out number one and Brookelyn Gau got Ashli Gutierrez to strike out looking for out number two. She got Sidney Fabila to striek out swinging to retire the side.
Mykenzie Price hit a shot to Kamryn Martinez at first base, who got the out at first to begin the bottom half of the first inning. Garza struck out looking for out number two, but Cadence Sanchez drew a walk and Brookelyn Gau singled up the middle setting up a two-RBI double that was dropped by Jalen Franco in right field to put the Lady Cats in front, 2-1.
Malorie Garcia hit an RBI-single over second base, and she took second on the throw home, as they extended their lead to, 3-1. Katelyn Gau, though, would strike out looking to end the inning for Littlefield.
The Lady Cubs had a big second inning, as they posted six runs to regain the lead, 7-3.
Both teams were kept scoreless through the next two innings, but in the bottom of the fourth of the fourth the Lady Cats broke through, as Garcia led off with a double to right-center field. Katelyn Gau singled through the left side, moving Garcia over to third to put runners on the corners.
Tricia Torres lined out to Millie Castillo in center field for out number one and Katelyn Gau took second on a pitch, before Kaeleigh Logan struck out swinging for out number two. Price ripped an RBIdouble to center field to make the score, 7-4. Garza grounded out to third to end the inning.
Brookelyn Gau and the Littlefield defense were able to keep the Lady Cubs off the board in the top of the fifth inning, as they came to the plate in the bottom half of the side looking to cut into the lead once more.
Sanchez singled up the middle to lead off the inning, and she took second on a pitch, before Brookelyn Gau struck out swinging for out number one. Sanchez took third on a past ball, before McNeese hit an RBI-sacrfice grounder to Kenley Salas at second base, who got the out at first, as Sanchez scored to trim the lead to, 7-5. Garcia grounded out to Garcia at shortstop to end the inning.
In the top of the sixth inning, Abcde Garcia hit a ground-rule double to left-center field and two batters later, Gutierrez drove her in with an RBI-double to right-center field, making the score, 8-5. Brookelyn Gau got Fabila to strike out looking to retire the side.
The Lady Cats were held scoreless through the next two innings, as they fell to Brownfield, 8-5, in their second meeting of the season.
Brookelyn Gau pitched a complete game for the Lady Cats, earning seven strikeouts, while giving up just one walk and eight runs.
The Lady Cats were at Denver City on Saturday. Results were not available at press time. They will continue their season on the road on Tuesday against Dimmitt.
First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.