Eagle Pass Lady Eagles blank Uvalde Lobos in softball season opener 17-0
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass High School Lady Eagles softball team blanked the visiting Uvalde High School Lobos 17-0 in the season opening game as senior pitcher Krystal De La Cruz hurled a one hitter and freshman catcher Janessa Garza slammed a three run home run over the right field foul ball pole to clinch their first win of the season by the 15 run rule after three innings on Monday, February 16, 2015, at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center Softball Field.
Uvalde pitcher Morgan Henderson belted a single to center field with two outs in the top of the first inning to garner the only hit against Lady Eagle pitcher Krystal De La Cruz as the next Lobo hitter grounded out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Lady Eagles exploded for five runs on three base hits including an RBI double by Nina Flores, an RBI single by Janessa Garza, and another single by Krystal De La Cruz. Melanie Mendoza, Dariela Velasquez, and Amanda Appleton received bases on balls and scored in the inning. Miriam Salinas grounded out but not before getting an RBI scoring Melanie Mendoza. The Lady Eagles took a commanding lead 5-0 after the first inning and never looked back in the game.
In the top of the second inning, the Uvalde Lobos went three and out but not before third baseman Denise Longoria hit a screeching line drive to third base but Lady Eagle third sacker Nina Flores snatched the speeding ball into her glove to record the out.
In the bottom of the second inning, the cold blistering winds turned into a freezing rain into the night as the Lady Eagles rallied to score 12 unanswered runs to take an insurmountable 17-0 lead after two innings. The highlight of the inning was the booming three run home run by Lady Eagle freshman catcher Janessa Garza in her varsity debut with two outs hitting the right field foul ball pole marker to record her first official varsity home run. Also collecting hits in the inning were Nina Flores, Krystal De La Cruz, Dariela Velasquez, and Amanda Appleton with two singles. The freezing rain made the softball very slippery as Uvalde Lobo pitcher Denise Longoria struggled to get a good grip on the softball and gave up six bases on balls which all resulted in Lady Eagle runs.
In the top of the third inning, Lady Eagle hurler Krystal De La Cruz struck out two of three Uvalde hitters to end the game by the 15 run rule after three innings.
Leading the Lady Eagles offensive firepower was freshman catcher Janessa Garza who went 2 for 3 with a home run, single, and four RBIs, followed by pitcher Krystal De La Cruz who batted 2 for 2 with 2 singles, Amanda Appleton went 2 for 2 with 2 singles and scored 2 runs, Nina Flores batted 2 for 2 with a double and a single with one run scored, Sairah Gonzalez went 1 for 1 with one RBI and scored a run, and Dariela Velasquez batted 1 for 2 with a single, one RBI, and scored 2 runs.
Lady Eagle pitcher Krystal De La Cruz faced only 10 batters, giving up only one single and recorded three strike outs in earning the win.
The 2015 Eagle Pass Lady Eagles include Krystal De La Cruz, Melanie Mendoza, Miriam Salinas, Dariela Velasquez, Janessa Garza, Amanda Appleton, Nina Flores, Lysandra Gonzalez, Sairah Gonzalez, Kayla Sepulveda, Gisselle Velasquez, and Heather Ruiz, who did not play due to an injury but is expected to play in the near future.
The Eagle Pass Lady Eagles are under the direction of Head Coach Oscar Ruiz and Assistant Coaches Ricky Ruiz, Charlie Ruiz, Carlos Rodriguez, and Larissa Gonzalez.
The Lady Eagles will play this week in the prestigious Smithson Valley Rangers Softball Tournament during February 19-21, 2015, facing among the top teams in Texas.
