By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Despite coming up just short in an effort to extend its season, the Queens softball team may have planted the seeds for a stronger showing in 2024.
Del Rio split its final two games of the regular season and finished one game out of fourth place, missing out on the postseason. The Queens had a chance to force a possible play-in game against Laredo United South, but to do that Del Rio had to beat longtime rival, and district champions Eagle Pass Tuesday on the Queens’ home field.
While the Queens battled to the end, Del Rio came up just short, 3-1.
Eagle Pass struck first, scoring in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Larissa Jacquez.
Del Rio had the answer. Ithalia Ozuna led off with a single to left field. Hope Martinez then smashed a one-out double over the head of Eagle Pass’ left fielder to bring in Ozuna and tie the game at 1-1.
After a scoreless second inning, Eagle Pass reclaimed the lead in the top of the third. Karyna Perez, who scored the Lady Eagles’ first run, kicked off the at-bat with a single to right field. Mia Silva followed with a single to right of her own, but Del Rio’s defense came up with a big play as the team’s relay throw from right wound up throwing Perez out at third base.
Jacquez was next up and hit a hard ground ball to second base. Del Rio’s Syann Casillas was able to stop the ball but couldn’t control it to throw Jacquez out at first. In the process Silva would score to give Eagle Pass a 2-1 lead.
Del Rio looked to tie the game again in the bottom of third after Ozuna led off with a single to right field. After a Naylea Santana sacrifice bunt moved Ozuna to second, Eagle Pass made a pitching change and brought Jacquez into the pitcher’s circle.
The tall, powerful right-hander took control after that. She retired the first 10 batters she faced in order before allowing a single to Rebekah Alcaraz. After that, she sat down the final four batters of the game to close things out for Eagle Pass. Jacquez faced 15 batters, allowed one hit, no walks and struck out seven batters in 4 2/3 innings.
Eagle Pass’ final run came in the top of the seventh after Perez doubled and later scored on a ground ball off the bat of Jacquez.
QUEENS 8, LAREDO ALEXANDER 2
To earn a chance for a playoff play-in game, Del Rio first had to get past Laredo Alexander Friday night.
Down 2-0 after the Lady Bulldogs’ first at-bat, Del Rio responded with four runs in its half of the first to grab the lead which the team would never relinquish.
Ozuna, Santana, Martinez and Alcaraz each reached the base to start the bottom of the first. Martinez would drive in Ozuna and Santana with a single to right field. They’d later score on an error to help the Queens take a 4-2 lead.
The lead grew to 5-2 in the second inning when Santana reached on an error and scored on a double to left by Martinez.
Martinez had the big bat again in the fourth inning as her second double of the game plated Ozuna and Santana to push Del Rio’s advantage over Alexander to 7-2.
Del Rio’s final run came in the bottom of the fifth inning as Celeste Colunga reached on an error and later scored on an infield single by Ozuna.
The Queens’ offense exploded for seven runs on 11 hits. Ozuna, Santana and Martinez each had at least two hits with Martinez going 3-for-4 in the process. Alcaraz also reached base three times with a single and a pair of walks. Miamor Salazar, Lauren Sanchez and Ava Casillas also had hits for Del Rio.
After a rocky first inning, Alcaraz settled down as the Queens starting pitcher. She allowed seven hits in the game but just two after the first inning including one each in the second and seventh innings. She retired 12 batters in a row at one point before an error allowed Alexander to have a baserunner in the sixth, the first for that team since the second inning.
Del Rio loses three seniors – Santana, Alcaraz and Colunga. Of that trio, Santana and Alcaraz were regular starters and former all-district selections. With the bulk of the team returning, and several players coming up from the middle school who some coaches feel could contend for roster spots, things are looking bright for the program.
—
Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
