Softball team hangs tough in challenging district

• Photos by Christopher A. Miles/ Christopher A. Miles Photography Marble Falls junior Emma Cayce prepares to pick up the ball on a bunt.
• Marble Falls senior Aydan Ortis avoids the tag while sliding into third base during the loss to Lampasas March 19.
• Marble Falls junior first baseman Sophia Biagini reacts to catching the ball for the out against Lampasas.

The Marble Falls High School softball team lost to Lampasas 11-1 in five innings March 19 in District 24-4A play.

The Lady Mustangs (11-10-2, 0-2) scored in the first inning when sophomore Cheyenne Thompson hit an RBI triple down the right field line to score senior Aydan Ortis, who reached base on a walk. While head coach Alex Lozoya commended Thompson for the RBI triple, he noted her other at-bat, where she hit a ball to second base, also drew conversation.

“(Lampasas pitcher Brooke) Farmer was throwing hard, and Cheyenne went with it," he said. "Brooke was throwing well. She throws hard and heavy, and we had to get behind the ball to drive it. She was hitting her spots. We had to work to put the ball in play." The score would indicate a lopsided contest, however, Lozoya said the Lady Badgers scored thanks to some Marble Falls miscues.

“The 11-1 score didn't reflect how well we played," he said. "It comes down to we patch up one thing and move one piece over there, and we leave something else open. We don't have the experience to rotate players around and not make it obvious." He noted that two flyballs were dropped that allowed Lampasas to score. "(Our outfielders) do everything correctly," he said. “(But) the ball is in and out of her glove. They put the ball in play three times. The ball hits our gloves, and we're not squeezing the ball. We are very inconsistent in our defense. Our opponents are going to put the ball in play and make it very interesting." A big key to the district race is that each member has a pitcher able to get her team, and herself, out of trouble by throwing a strikeout.

“The 2024 pitchers are more experienced,” the coach said. “The kids were good and young in 2023. Now they have more experience and competition under their belts.”

Lozoya noted the Lady Mustangs must find ways to be successful where they work together as a defense to get outs.

“(Our pitchers) let them get a few walks,” he said. “We let them hit balls they put in play. We need to make a play. Our pitchers are giving us a chance to get outs. In our sport, you score until they show they can stop you. It’s going to take the defense to help the pitcher and the pitcher to help the defense.”

Keeping games close, whether that’s by playing tough defense or answering back with several runs in an inning, is a big key for the Lady Mustangs, Lozoya said. “We have enough pieces to win a game,” he said. “We just can’t put ourselves in a hole. I see we have potential and ability. We’re waiting for that one moment to come through. It’s getting the girls to believe they can. I see what this group can do, and I want it for them now. I like our kids off the field. They’re a great group of young ladies. It’s hard not to root for them. We need to keep playing and keep getting that experience. I just want it for them now.”

Marble Falls welcomes Georgetown Gateway at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22.

Jennifer Fierro publishes reports about area youth athletic events on her website TexasChalk-Talk.com. To send her a note, email fierrojennifer@yahoo.com.