Marble Falls softball shows growth at Llano tourney

CAPTION: Marble Falls senior second baseman Kylie Roberts catches the popup to make the out and ensure Brownwood senior Chloe Walls stays on first base with Marble Falls senior first baseman Sophia Biagini. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School softball team finished the Llano tournament with a 1-4 record February 27-March 1.

The Lady Mustangs beat Goldthwaite 17-5 and lost to Glen Rose 7-6, Brownwood 5-1, Wall 7-0 and Comanche 5-4.

Marble Falls was prepared to play two games March 1, but arrived to the ball park and discovered the opponent hadn’t shown up. Instead, the squad went to a local coffee shop and had a team bonding session.

As a result the Lady Mustangs played only one game, a 5-4 loss to Comanche. Marble Falls was at-bat when time was called.

While the record indicates it wasn’t “a successful weekend,” head coach Lozoya noted he saw some good things from his players.

“Our top four kids can line up,” he said. “Our pitchers hardly didn’t walk anyone. We had the chance to make plays.”

Freshmen pitchers Brooklyn Damico and Callie Phillips split time in the circle.

The 5-1 loss to Brownwood was actually a 2-1 contest until the final minutes.

“They didn’t score until the last five minutes,” the coach said. “I thought Brooklyn took advantage of the strike zone (the umpire) was giving to both teams.”

Phillips pitched well during the tournament, especially against Comanche, Lozoya said. With the game tied at 4-4, he indicated he was going to make a pitching change, but Phillips was determined to finish what she started.

“Callie did a good job of striking the zone this whole weekend,” he said. “She and Brooklyn showed a lot of progress. The plan was to help them increase their endurance for district.”

While the two may not have the mind-blowing individual stats, Lozoya pointed out they do have capable teammates who can make routine outs and some who can make diving attempts to get outs to “put up as many zeros” on the scoreboard as possible.

He called Khloe Hollingsworth “the breakout player” of the weekend for her performance at the plate and on defense. He noted she made several defensive plays that fired up her team.

“She was putting the barrel on the ball and attacking strikes,” the coach said. “She stepped up this weekend.”

The next step the team must continue is not allowing one mistake to turn into multiple errors. While timely hitting is obvious, especially with a runner at third base, being sound defensively will give the Lady Mustangs opportunities to add to the win column.

“We had our chances to score and we didn’t,” Lozoya said. “We had our chances to hold them. This program isn’t used to being in close games. The game finds a way to get you. One error turns into two turns into three.”

He noted that against Glen Rose, Marble Falls dove for balls that were barely missed and had runners in scoring position when a questionable called third strike was issued. That third strike didn’t allow the Lady Mustangs, who had been down 7-1 in the first inning, to complete the comeback.

“Our kids are trying to go make a play, and it’s not working out,” Lozoya said. “They were hitting just enough.”

Marble Falls will host Taylor in the District 24-4A opener Tuesday, March 4, with the junior varsity playing at 5:30 p.m. at the varsity to follow.

CAPTION: Marble Falls senior third baseman Cheyenne Thompson puts the tag on Brownwood sophomore Maitlyn Esquivel. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro