Marble Falls softball loses to Taylor

CAPTION: Freshman Adyson Floyd recorded 2 RBI for the Lady Mustangs in the loss to Taylor. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School softball team lost to Taylor 6-2 March 3 in the District 24-4A opener.

“We had multiple opportunities to get on base but couldn’t find enough clutch moments to get them in,” head coach Alex Lozoya said. “Taylor, I feel, was moving in the right direction at the end of the season last year. They did a great job of taking advantage of our mistakes, especially with two outs, and used it to carry them to a big district win.”

The Lady Mustangs scored first when freshman Adyson Floyd was walked and scored a run in the first inning.

But the Lady Ducks (8-9-1, 1-0) plated two in the second inning thanks to an error. Then a single by freshman Kennedy Pleasants increased Taylor’s advantage to 4-1 in the third inning.

Floyd drove in another run in the fifth inning to trim the deficit to 4-2. She and freshman Abigail Suarez each had a hit. The Lady Mustangs drew six walks led by sophomore Callie Phillips’ two.

“Ady Floyd did a great job showing plate discipline and getting a couple of RBI,” Lozoya said.

Suarez’s hit, a single, went to right field with one out. Older sister Jocelyn Suarez, a junior, followed with a line drive up the middle. The shortstop, however, “made a great play snagging the ball and snapping the throw to first base,” the coach said, for the double play.

“It ended the inning and slowed our momentum with Callie and (senior) Cheyenne (Thompson) up with runners on and one out,” he said.

Taylor scored two meaningless runs in the sixth inning. Pleasants batted in two runs and junior Anaih Arroyo drew three of the Lady Ducks’ eight walks. Three walks scored, with one Lady Duck walking twice, and two of those batters reached on eight pitches.

Pitcher Phillips was credited with the loss, allowing two earned runs off three hits and five walks.

“Free bases hurt no matter who you are facing,” the coach said. “It gave Taylor momentum and they took advantage of it.”

Taylor pitcher Arroyo allowed one earned run off two hits with five strikeouts and six walks in 4 2/3 innings.

Four of the Lady Ducks’ six runs were unearned, and Lozoya noted some miscues were made by Lady Mustangs “made mistakes we aren’t used to seeing.”

“Certain kids ” he said. “Unfortunately that’s how our season is going so far. We are trying really hard to make plays and are rushing things that can be accomplished by keeping it smooth and simple.”

Because of expected bad weather Friday, March 6, Marble Falls and Georgetown Gateway will play Thursday, March 5, in Georgetown in a varsity only contest at 6 p.m.

“We look forward to another opportunity for these young Mustangs to grow and hopefully pick up a big district win,” Lozoya said.

CAPTION: Freshman Abigail Suarez (left) goes over strategy with assistant coach Howie Aspen at first base. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro