Marble Falls softball comes from behind to beat Mason, tie Ingram

CAPTION: The Marble Falls Lady Mustangs enjoy a reward of winning — taking a team selfie — after beating Mason. Courtesy photo

The Marble Falls High School softball team earned a 9-8 win against Mason and a 6-6 tie against Ingram Tom Moore on the first day of the Hill Country Classic March 2.

The tournament is hosted by Llano High School.

The win ends an 11-game losing streak though new head coach Alex Lozoya noted his squad had some close losses. He added that getting all three elements — hitting, pitching and defense — to perform well in a contest leads to positive outcomes in the sport.

“It’s a matter of trying to sync up,” he said. “We weren’t getting the results we wanted, but the girls were able to persevere. They’re starting to pick things ups. We’ve had a lot of games that got away from us in the fourth or fifth innings. The kids are going in and competing. Now it’s about finding a way.”

That’s how he summed up the win against a Mason squad that scored 19 runs in a victory against Miles to start the season.

“We’re starting to get healthier,” Lozoya said. “They’re being aggressive and coachable. I haven’t had to worry about grades or conduct in the hallways. The biggest talent you can have is being available.”

Marble Falls has a mix of experience on its 18-player roster. Some have played the sport for years, while others played in elementary school and recently returned to the diamond, and others are picking up a softball for the first time.

Senior Ellie Whittle, sophomore Camille Catalfamo and freshman Marisol Ramos are the pitchers.

“They ask questions, they want to try,” the coach said. “They’re getting better every time they go out. The umpires come over and say ‘Your kids are looking better.’ We’re trying to take it one pitch at a time.”

And though the Lady Mustangs haven’t had the start they wanted, they have impressed.

One is junior Ayden Ortis, who had a seven-game hitting streak. Another is senior Brie Kingsbury, who’s been hitting the ball well.

And during the first weekend of the season, the Lady Mustangs plated 19 runs in four games. That’s more than they had all of 2022.

While they are learning the playbook, the one trait Lozoya said he is not having to coach is effort.

“The kids are finding ways,” the coach said. “We have to keep grinding. All those little victories add up. We’re competing. We’re in the weight room getting bigger and stronger. The kids are buying into that.”

And now that basketball season has ended, Lozoya has a coaching staff to assist in other places during practices.

“I was trying to manage all the spinning dishes at once,” he said.

Marble Falls will play Round Rock Stoney Point at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Sting Field in the city of Llano.

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