The Littlefield Lady Cats’ varsity softball team took down the Muleshoe Lady Mules, 9-3, on Tuesday to close out the first half of district play.
With the win, the Lady Cats improve to 3-2 in district play.
In the first inning, Mykenzie Price, grounded out to Makayla Kirven for out number one, but Geyah Garza was hit by a pitch to give the Lady Cats a base runner. Garza took second on a pitch to Cadence Sanchez and Sanchez drew a walk, as the ball got by the catcher, she went all the way to second as Garza moved up to third on the play.
Brookelyn Gau hit a two-RBI single through the right side to put the Lady Cats up, 2-0, but Madison McNeese hit a fly ball to shallow center field that was dropped, but the Lady Mules were able to get Brookelyn Gau at second base for out number two. Malorie Garcia drew a walk, but Kaeleigh Logan struck out swinging to retire the side.
Alexa Estrada was hit by a pitch to begin the bottom half of the side for Muleshoe, but Brookelyn Gau got Brianna Ruvalcaba to strike out looking and Kirven to strike out swinging for two quick outs. Clarissa Rejino hit a grounder to Garza at shortstop, who tagged Estrada in the base path to end the inning.
A pitchers duel ensued through the next three innings, but the Lady Cats were able to break through again in the top of the fifth inning.
Katelyn Gau struck out swinging to begin the inning, but Price singled on an error by Ruvalcaba at second base to give Littlefield a base runner. She took second on a pitch to Garza, before Garza doubled to right field and Sanchez followed it up with a two-RBI single up the middle to extend their lead to, 4-0.
Brookelyn Gau hit a two-run inside the park homerun to left field to push their lead to, 6-0, but McNeese was struck out and Garcia grounded out to shortstop to retire the side.
Gau got the Lady Mules to go three-up-and-three-down on three consecutive ground balls to end the fifth inning.
Amri Melton relieved Rejino in the circle to begin the sixth inning, as she got Zoe Garcia to strike out looking for out number one. Tricia Torres and Katelyn Gau drew back-to-back walks and Price hit an RBIsingle through the left side to stretch their lead to, 7-0.
Garza hit a shot to center field that was dropped for an RBIdouble to make the score, 8-0, but Sanchez struck out swinging for out number two. Price got into a rundown between third and home and scored on a throw past the catcher, as Brookelyn Gau walked all the way to second with the lead extended to, 9-0. McNeese, though, would pop up to Kylie Hernandez at shortstop to retire the side.
In the bottom of the sixth, Jennifer Ronquillo lined out to Sanchez at first for out number one, but Estrada singled up the middle to give Muleshoe a runner. She took second on a pitch, before Ruvalcaba popped up to first and was called out for runner interference for out number two.
Estrada took third on a past ball, and Kirven hit an RBI-single through the right side to get the Lady Mules on the board, still trailing the Lady Cats, 9-1. Ashlyn Anguiano singled to right-center field, moving Kirven over to third on the play and Jazzy Sanchez had an RBI-single fall in left to make the score, 9-2. Kylie Hernandez flew out to center field on a sliding catch by Torres to end the inning.
Melton got the Lady Cats to go three-up-and-three-down in the top of the seventh inning, as the Lady Mules came to the plate for their last at bats, trying to force extra innings.
Melton popped up to Julie Rodriguez at second base for out number one, but Karely Vasquez drew a walk to give Muleshoe a runner. Ronquillo struck out looking for out number two, but Estrada singled to right field to put two runners on.
Ruvalcaba hit an RBI-single to right-center field, but was thrown out at second by McNeese trying to take an extra base as the Lady Cats took down the Lady Mules, 9-3.
Brookelyn Gau pitched a complete game, giving up just three runs and two walks, while earning five strikeouts.
The Lady Cats hosted Lamesa on Saturday. Results were not available at press time. They will continue their season on Tuesday against the Brownfield Lady Cubs.
First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.