Eagle Pass Lady Eagles drop heartbreaker to San Marcos Lady Rattlers 2-1 in Game 1 of Regional Semifinals

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

The Eagle Pass High School Lady Eagles dropped a heartbreaking game that went down to the last out in the bottom of the seventh inning with two base runners on third and second base and two outs with the team’s leading hitter at the plate and the score 2-1 in favor of the visiting San Marcos High School Lady Rattlers, but it was not meant to be as standout Lady Eagle senior shortstop Sandra Mendoza flied out to left field to end the game on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center Softball Field.

With over 400 persons in attendance packing the EPISD SAC Softball Field bleachers to the brim, Eagle Pass softball aficionados got their money’s worth as the Lady Eagles and Lady Rattlers battled each other through seven exhilarating innings of playoff softball in a classic pitchers’ duel between standout Lady Eagle junior southpaw Krystal De La Cruz and Lady Rattler right hand ace hurler Victoria Vasquez.

Game One of the best of three series between the Lady Eagles and Lady Rattlers in the Regional Semifinals Softball Championship lived up to its hype with two of the finest Texas high school softball teams in the Eagle Pass Lady Eagles and San Marcos Lady Rattlers on a perfect cool, spring evening made for softball playoff action.

The visiting Lady Rattlers scored one run in the top of the first inning as the leadoff hitter was hit by a pitch and stole second base and eventually scored the lone run of the game until the top of the seventh inning, giving the Lady Rattlers an early 1-0 lead.

The Lady Rattlers added a run in the top of the seventh inning on a leadoff double, throwing error, and base hit taking a 2-0 lead over the Lady Eagles with three outs remaining in the game.

The never say die Lady Eagles rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning as standout senior right fielder Vivian Ramirez doubled to right-center field and scored on a passed ball to make it 2-1 at the moment and the Lady Eagles got a batter on base as standout designated player Dariela Velasquez belted what appeared to be a home run but the Lady Rattler center fielder miraculously chased the screaming Velasquez line drive and caught it at the fence to deny the Lady Eagles a possible victory. With two outs and a base runner on second base, standout Lady Eagle third baseman Nina Flores drew a walk to set up a mano a mano duel between Lady Eagle Sandra Mendoza and Lady Rattler pitcher Victoria Vasquez. With Lady Eagle base runners on third and second base and two outs, Sandra Mendoza slammed a line drive ball hugging the third base chalk line which would have scored two runs to win the game, but the Home Plate umpire called it foul ball. As the 400 plus softball aficionados rose to their feet with the game on the line, Lady Rattler ace pitcher Victoria Vasquez jammed Lady Eagle Sandra Mendoza causing her to fly out to end this most exciting and thrilling game.

Game Two of the best of three series is Friday, May 16th, at 7 P.M. at the San Marcos Independent School District Softball Field in San Marcos, Texas.

Game Three, if necessary, is scheduled at a neutral site on Saturday, May 17th, at the San Antonio Northeast Independent School District Softball Complex in San Antonio, Texas.

All loyal Eagle Pass softball aficionados are encouraged to attend Friday, May 16th, softball playoff game between the Lady Eagles and the Lady Rattlers and cheer them on to victory. Go Lady Eagles! Beat the Lady Rattlers!