The Littlefield Wildcats’ varsity baseball team lost a shortened district-opener at Denver City on Wednesday, 3-1. The game was called after 4.5 innings due to lightning moving into the area.
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 0-1 in district play.
Neither team was able to break through on the scoreboard until the top of the fourth inning. Major McNeese popped up to Eleazar Sotelo in shallow left field for out number one and Jonavan Weaver grounded out to Israel Gandara at shortstop for out number two.
Nick Caballero doubled to right field to give the Wildcats a base runner and Brendon Bowman hit an RBI-double to left-center field to put the Wildcats in front, 1-0. Sam Hill came on as the courtesy runner for the catcher. Isaiah Rodriguez hit a shot up the middle and took second on the throw home from the outfield to hold Hill at third base.
Ethan Garcia drew a walk to load the bases, but Ian Mendez struck out looking to retire the side.
In the bottom half of the inning, Jayden Dominguez popped up to Mendez in foul territory at third base for out number one. Gandara singled up the middle, and Sotelo laid down a sacrifice bunt that was fielded by Mendez, who came charging from third base and threw to first for the out, as Gandara advanced to second on the play.
Miles Riley hit an RBI-single to right field, as Erik Estrada came on as the courtesy runner for the pitcher with the game tied, 1-1. Brayden Gonzales drew a walk and the runners advanced on a past ball, before Daniel Ceniceros followed it up with a two-RBI single through the left side to put the Mustangs up, 3-1. Enrique Banuelos hit into a fielder’s choice to Isaiah Rodriguez at second base to end the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Jaron Cabello struck out swinging for out number one, but Jordan Trevino doubled to left field to give the Wildcats a base runner. McNeese hit a chopper to Gandara at shortstop, who went to third for the fielder’s choice to get Trevino for out number two. Weaver was hit by a pitch, but Caballero struck out swinging to end the inning and the game.
McNeese pitched four innings for the Wildcats, earning three strikeouts, while giving up three runs and one walk.
The Wildcats were at Kermit on Saturday for a double-header. Results were not available at press time. They will continue district play on Tuesday with a home game against the Muleshoe Mules.
First-pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.