Marble Falls softball lost to Gateway
CAPTION: Marble Falls senior third baseman Cheyenne Thompson fields a ground ball and takes the fielder’s choice – throwing to second base for the forceout. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School softball team lost to Georgetown Gateway 8-1 March 31 in District 24-4A play.
“I told the team after the game, 8-1 is not a reflection of how well I felt they played,” Lady Mustangs head coach Alex Lozoya said. “It was a matter of who made the first mistake.”
For four innings, each team refused to let the other plate a run. The Lady Mustangs forced the Lady Gators to strand six runners, while Gateway made Marble Falls leave four.
But in the fifth inning, the Lady Gators scored all the runs they needed thanks to a lead-off double to center field. By the time the runner stole third, there were two outs. The next two batters drew walks and a 2 RBI single to left field put Gateway on the board. A grounder hit to senior third baseman Cheyenne Thompson took a funny bounce, allowing another runner to go home for the 3-0 lead.
“I’ve seen Cheyenne make that play many times,” Lozoya said. “It got past her. She played another two correctly. Between that (funny bounce) and the walks, credit to Gateway. They capitalized in the fifth inning.”
Marble Falls responded in the sixth inning. Junior shortstop Jocelyn Suarez hit a single then ran to third on a single by sophomore catcher Callie Thompson. Suarez later stole home. After a fly out to center field, freshman right fielder Emma Martin drew a walk. The threat ended with a strikeout, leaving two Lady Mustangs on bases.
An error highlighted a five-run inning for the Lady Gators in the seventh inning.
“Before, they used momentum and got going and got confidence and started driving the ball,” Lozoya said. “Good for them. They came on and they earned it.”
Marble Falls sophomore pitcher Brooklynn Damico was credited with the loss. About five of Gateway’s runs were earned.
“I don’t think that reflects the kind of night that Brooklynn had,” the coach. “But on the scoreboard it’s going to look like it wasn’t her night and she was chased off the field. I think Brooklyn Damico and Callie Phillips did a great job for the most part. I’m here looking at Brooklynn’s stat line and it says five walks. Two of those walks were me disguising the walks where I just pretty much didn’t want to give the obvious ball four.”
He also was pleased that his team didn’t allow Gateway to score in the sixth inning especially with Thompson fielding a grounder after having an error the inning before.
“She came out and made two good plays,” he said. “So that’s big from a maturity stand point. They had their moments, but we didn’t put enough pressure on them offensively to create any stress.”
Marble Falls has three regular season games remaining beginning with hosting Salado Tuesday, April 7, traveling to Burnet Friday, April 10, and then ending the regular season at home against Jarrell Tuesday, April 14. The junior varsity plays at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 7 p.m.
CAPTION: Marble Falls freshman second baseman Abigail Suarez makes the catch for the out. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
