C.C. Winn Lady Mavericks drop season opener in extra innings against Carrizo Springs Lady Wildcats 6-5

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School Lady Mavericks varsity softball dropped the 2014 season opener in extra innings 6-5 against the Carrizo Springs High School Lady Wildcats at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center Softball Field on Monday, February 10, 2014.

Lady Maverick freshman right-hander pitcher Ana Aguado went the distance hurling eight innings and allowing 12 hits, four walks, and four strikeouts in taking the heartbreaking loss against the Lady Wildcats. Aguado showed much promise as a young pitcher despite the loss.

Lady Wildcat right-hand hurler Lexie Juarez started the game going two innings before being relieved by eventual game winner Julia Cruz in the third inning. Juarez and Cruz combined to allow seven hits, two walks, five strike outs, and one hit batsman in earning the win for the Lady Wildcats.

The Lady Wildcats jumped to an early 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning, but the Lady Mavericks stormed back in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game 1-1 as Alyssa Lopez singled to right field with one out, Ariana Ruiz reached first base on a fielder’s choice getting Lopez out at second base, Ruiz stole second base, and third-baseman Ronnie Valdez belted a triple to right center field scoring Ruiz before the end of the inning.

In the bottom of the third-inning, the Lady Mavericks exploded for four runs against Lady Wildcat pitcher Julia Cruz to take a 5-1 lead as Lesly Salinas reached first base on a walk, Cassandra Flores reached first base on a Lady Wildcat throwing error on a bunt and stole second base while Salinas advanced to third base, Alyssa Lopez stroked an RBI single to right center field scoring Salinas and advancing Flores to third and Lopez took second base on the throw in, shortstop Ariana Ruiz slammed a two RBI single to right field scoring Flores and Lopez while advancing to second base on the throw in, and Ruiz stole third base and scored on a passed ball.

The Lady Wildcats scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning on one hit, three Lady Mavs errors, and a fielder’s choice to narrow the Lady Mavericks lead 5-3.

The Lady Wildcats added another run in the fifth inning on a single and triple to make it a game 5-4 in favor of Lady Mavericks.
Lady Wildcat pitcher Julia Cruz found her groove and dominated the Lady Mavs hitters in the late innings to keep it close and eventually win the game in the eighth inning.

The Lady Wildcats tied the game, 5-5, in the top of the seventh inning with one out on three back to back singles while shutting out the Lady Mavericks from scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending the thrilling game into extra innings.

The Lady Wildcats scratched one run in the top of the eighth inning on a bunt single and two back to back singles to score the would-be game winning run, 6-5, while Lady Wildcat hurler Julia Cruz retired the Lady Mavericks in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn the hard-fought win against the battling Lady Mavericks in an exciting softball season opener at the EPISD SAC.

Leading the Lady Mavericks on offense were center fielder Alyssa Flores batting 3 of 4 with 3 singles and scoring one run, Ariana Ruiz went 1for 4 with a single, 2 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases, right fielder Lesly Salinas was 1 for 3 with a single and scored a run, third baseman Ronnie Valdez hit 1for 4 with one RBI, and pitcher Ana Aguado batted 1for 4 with a single.

The 2014 C.C. Winn Lady Mavericks include Cassandra Flores, Alyssa Lopez, Ariana Ruiz, Ronnie Valdez, Lorena Sanchez, Ana Aguado, Natalie Garcia, Lesly Salinas, Giselle Cerda, Brittany Perez, Connie Hernandez, Lynet Gil, Andrea Rodriguez, MariChelo Flores, and Amberly Garza. Gustavo Varela is the Head Coach and is assisted by Assistant Coaches Brenda Postiy-Varela, Enrique Torres, Oscar Rodriguez, and Tony Martinez.

The Lady Mavericks will travel to the Rio Grande Valley this week to participate in the Mission Fastpitch Invitational Tournament where they will play against the finest Rio Grande, Corpus Christi, and Laredo softball teams.