C. C. Winn Lady Mavericks rally to edge Del Rio Queens 6-5 in softball season opener
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School Lady Mavericks rallied with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to edge the Del Rio High School Queens in the softball season opener on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center Softball Field.
The visiting Del Rio Queens slapped two base hits in the top of the first inning threatening to score but a double play by the Lady Mavericks extinguished the scoring threat.
The Lady Mavericks scored one run on a one out ground ball hit by catcher Lorena Sanchez scoring center fielder Cassandra Flores who had reached base on a walk to give the Lady Mavericks an early 1-0 lead.
The Del Rio Queens stormed back in the top of the second inning to score two runs on three Lady Mavericks errors including a throwing error by an infielder and two dropped fly balls in the outfield to take a 2-1 lead. The Lady Mavericks went three and out in the bottom half of the second inning.
Del Rio Queens added one run in the top of the third inning on a leadoff triple by third baseman Tina Montejano and a passed ball by the catcher to take a 3-1 lead.
The Lady Mavericks scored one run in the bottom of the third inning on a one out double by Cassandra Flores and two passed balls to score, narrowing the Del Rio lead 3-2.
Del Rio went three and out in the fourth inning as Lady Mavericks starting pitcher Brittany Perez ball movement stifled the Queens’ batters. The Lady Mavericks also were unable to score in the bottom of the fourth inning despite a single by first baseman Marichelo Flores who was stranded at second base.
The Del Rio Queens took advantage of a third outfield dropped fly ball by the Lady Mavericks with two outs to rally for two runs in the top of the fifth inning followed by back to back to back singles by Anissa Whitener, Jackie Montejano, and Dariela Quiroz, taking a 5-2 lead.
The Lady Mavericks mounted a come back in the top of the fifth inning with two runs on a leadoff walk to Cassandra Flores who stole second base and eventually scored on a passed ball while shortstop Ari Ruiz belted a single but was caught stealing home on a passed ball and Lorena Ruiz received a bases on balls and scored on a two out single by Marichelo Flores to narrow the score 5-4 in favor of Del Rio after 5 innings.
Lady Mavericks pitcher Brittany Perez got stronger as the game went on as she got the Del Rio Queens to ground out three times to deny the Queens any runs in the top of the sixth inning, keeping the score 5-4 in favor of Del Rio.
The Lady Mavericks rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to finally take a 6-5 lead in the game as Monica Rodriguez singled to leadoff the inning but was thrown out at second base attempting to stretch it to a double, freshman third baseman Daniela Rodriguez singled to right field and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Alyssa Lopez, Cassandra Flores hit a ground ball but got on base on a throwing error by the Del Rio shortstop scoring Daniela Rodriguez on the error and Flores advanced to second base, and Ari Ruiz stroked an RBI single to center field with two outs to score the fleet-footed Cassandra Flores with what would be the winning run in the game, regaining the lead 6-5.
Lady Mavericks hurler Brittany Perez’s curve ball and drop pitches baffled the Del Rio Queens in the top of the seventh inning causing them to hit three straight ground outs to second base to preserve the 6-5 victory for the Lady Mavericks in their season opening game.
Leading the offensive firepower for the Lady Mavericks was Ari Ruiz who batted 2 for 3 with two singles, one RBI, and one walk, followed by Cassandra Flores who went 1 for 2 with a double, two bases on balls, and scored four runs, southpaw Marichelo Flores batted 2 for 3 with two singles and one RBI, Monica Rodriguez went 1 for 1 with a single, and freshman Daniela Rodriguez batted 1 for 2 with one run scored.
Lady Mavericks pitcher Brittany Perez went the distance (7 innings) in earning her first win of the season, allowing eight hits, two walks, and three strike outs.
The 2015 Lady Mavericks include Brittany Perez, Ari Ruiz, Clarissa Flores, Alyssa Lopez, Lorena Sanchez, Gisselle Cerda, Marichelo Flores, Connie Hernandez, Lynet Gil, Anissa Garcia, Monica Rodriguez, Chelsea Gloria, Daniela Rodriguez, and Sydney Gloria.
The Lady Mavericks are under the leadership of Head Coach Gustavo Varela and Assistant Coaches Brenda Postiy-Varela, Enrique Torres, Tony Martinez, and Oscar Rodriguez.
The Lady Mavericks will now travel to the Rio Grande Valley to play in the elite Mission Fastpitch Invitational Tournament in Mission, Texas during February 19-21, 2015.
