By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
The second half of district play began the same way the first half did for the Del Rio Queens softball team … with a loss to Laredo LBJ.
The Lady Wolves built a 3-0 lead in the third inning and never looked back, handing the Queens their second straight loss, 7-3, Friday night at the Queens Softball Field.
LBJ picked up its three runs in the top of the third behind a pair of hits including a two-run single to left field by Vivica Garcia. Garcia would move to third on an error, and then scored on a wild pitch by the Queens’ Ithalia Ozuna.
Ozuna, who had a strong three-game run in which she won all three games and did not allow a run over a 15-inning stretch, allowed just three hits over the first four innings of play and none for extra bases. But LBJ took advantage of the opportunities they were given, working Ozuna for three walks and a hit batsman over that same stretch.
LBJ added another run to its lead in the top of the fifth inning after Valerie Loyola singled and later scored on an error.
Del Rio broke through for its first two runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Mia’amor Salazar led off a single and then scored on a line drive triple to right field off the bat of Naylea Santana. Santana would eventually score on an error by LBJ’s catcher to cut the Lady Wolves’ lead in half, 4-2.
After a sixth inning in which both teams threatened but neither could score, LBJ tacked on three more runs to its tally in the top of the seventh.
Marianna Gamboa singled and scored on a triple by Alyzza Campos. Campos would cross the plate thanks to a single by Alessanda Thatcher. LBJ would eventually load the bases, and Thatcher would come home on a bases loaded walk to Anahi Ugartechea to make it a 7-2 game.
Campos hurled a gem for the Lady Wolves. She pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out nine.
Del Rio’s final run came in the bottom of the seventh. Salazar singled to right field to lead off the at-bat and took third on a single by Ozuna. She would score on a wild pitch to make the final 7-3.
Salazar and Hope Martinez each had two hits for the Queens. Ozuna, Kayla Mendoza and Santana also had hits for Del Rio.
The Queens will travel to Laredo Friday to face Laredo United at 5 p.m. Del Rio’s next home game will be Saturday, April 9, at 2 p.m. when they host the Laredo Nixon Lady Mustangs.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
