Lady Eagles edge San Antonio Southwest Lady Dragons in Season Home Opener 10-9
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The intense rivalry between the Eagle Pass High School Lady Eagles and San Antonio Southwest High School Lady Dragons softball programs was a fitting season home opener as both teams battled for seven innings with the Lady Eagles rallying in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring three runs to edge the Alamo City’s fourth ranked team 10-9 on a bases loaded with two outs walk to Lady Eagles senior left-fielder Krystal Perez scoring third-baseman Nina Flores with the winning run.
Lady Eagle standout southpaw pitcher Krystal De La Cruz went the distance ( seven innings) in earning the win and allowing 11 hits, one strikeout, five walks, and four hit batsmen. Lady Dragon standout hurler Caitlin Terrazas took the loss going seven innings allowing nine hits, four strikeouts, and eight walks.
The Lady Dragons jumped out to an early two run lead in the top of the first inning on two base hits, a hit batsman, and a fielder’s choice against Lady Eagle pitcher Krystal De La Cruz.
The Lady Eagles stormed back with one run in the bottom of the first inning narrowing the score 2-1 as Lady Eagle standout shortstop Sandra Mendoza led off with a single to center field and a stolen base to second, standout left fielder Krystal Perez executed a perfect sacrifice bunt advancing Sandra Mendoza to third base, standout center fielder Monica Flores grounded out but not before Mendoza scored as she slid around the Lady Dragon catcher on the throw to home, and Dariela Velasquez flied out to end the inning.
The Lady Dragons added a run in the top of the third inning while shutting out the Lady Eagles taking a 3-1 lead over the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Dragons padded their lead in the top of the fourth inning scoring two runs to take a 5-1 lead over the Lady Eagles.
The Lady Eagles battled back in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring four runs on a towering grand slam over the left field fence by standout second baseman Melanie Mendoza to tie the game 5-5 at the end of four innings. Krystal Perez led off with a walk, Monica Flores singled to left center field advancing Perez to second base, and Dariela Velasquez walked to load the bases with no outs. Krystal De La Cruz flied out to center field for the first out. Next came to bat the University of Southern Mississippi verbal recruit, Melanie Mendoza, and blasted a Caitlin Terrazas inside pitch over the left field fence to tie the game in one swing of the bat to the delight of the cheering Lady Eagles fans.
The Lady Dragons regrouped and plated two runs in the top of the sixth inning against Lady Eagle hurler Krystal De La Cruz to take a 7-5 lead.
The never say die Lady Eagles battled back with two runs of their own in the top of the sixth inning with two outs to tie the game 7-7 once again as pinch hitter Sairah Gonzalez received a bases on balls and stole second base, right fielder Vivian Ramirez slammed a double to left center field scoring Gonzalez, and Sandra Medoza belted a double to center field scoring Ramirez to tie the game at 7 a piece.
The potent Lady Dragons scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to take what appeared a commanding lead 9-7 with three outs remaining to claim victory.
But the talented Lady Eagles weren’t done yet, taking advantage of their last at bat to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for the tough non-district win 10-9 against the Greater San Antonio Metropolitan Area fourth-ranked Southwest Lady Dragons to the applause of their loyal Lady Eagles softball fans. Standout Lady Eagle Dariela Velasquez led off with a single to center field and Myram Salinas came to pinch run for Velasquez, Krystal De La Cruz flied out for the first out, Melanie Mendoza stroked a double to the right center field fence scoring Salinas and advancing to third base on a wild pitch, standout Lady Eagle third baseman Nina Flores drove Melanie Mendoza home on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt, standout Lady Eagle catcher Claudia Cruz received a base on balls advancing Nina Flores to second base, Vivian Ramirez sacrificed to advance Flores and Cruz to third and second base respectively, Sandra Mendoza got on first base to load the bases, and Krystal Perez patiently waited for the visibly shaken Lady Dragon pitcher Caitlin Terrazas to hurl strikes getting a base on balls for the winning RBI scoring Nina Flores for the 10-9 win.
Leading the Lady Eagles on offense was Melanie Mendoza who batted 2 for 4 with a grand slam, double, two runs scored, and 5 RBIs; Sandra Mendoza went 3 for 4 with two doubles, single, one run, one stolen base, and 2 RBIs; Monica Flores was 1 for 3 with a single and one run; Dariela Velasquez batted 1 for 3 with a single and two runs scored; Nina Flores went 1 for 4 with a single and one run scored; Vivian Flores was 1 for 4 with a double , one RBI, and one run scored; and Krystal Perez had 0 for 2 but the game winning RBI on a bases on ball, as well one run scored and two stolen bases.
The Lady Eagles and Lady Dragons played a great game going down to the wire with the Lady Eagles victorious on their three run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning snatching the win from the jaws of the Lady Dragons.
The Lady Eagles next play at the Southwest Lady Dragons Invitational Softball Tournament in San Antonio, Texas during February 20-22, 2014. Maybe the Lady Eagles and Lady Dragons might get to play each other again at this tournament.
