By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Tuesday night’s cold weather didn’t just put a chill into the fans, it also seemed to cool off the Queens softball team’s bats.
Del Rio had just five hits and plated just two runs in a 7-2 loss to the Laredo LBJ Lady Wolves at the Queens Softball Field. The loss drops the Queens to 1-5 in district as they begin the second half of the district schedule.
The Queens scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first inning. Naylea Santana ripped a single to center, took second on a passed ball and then came around to score when Hope Martinez’s towering double banged off the outfield fence.
LBJ tied the game in the second as Adamaris Ramirez walked and later scored on a single by Mia Mondragon.
Del Rio was able to put runners on base in all but one of the game’s seven innings, but LBJ starting pitcher Alyzza Campos neutralized the Queens’ scoring opportunities at every turn. She struck out five batters, walked just one batter, and kept the ball from leaving the infield as 17 of Del Rio’s plate appearances resulted in an out or a fielder’s choice in the infield.
She also benefited from at least one defensive gem as right fielder Itzel Landeros made a diving catch to rob MiaBella Ojeda of a hit in the seventh inning.
LBJ took the lead in the top of the third inning when Campos walked and later courtesy runner Morely Rodriguez scored on a double by Alexis Martinez.
The Lady Wolves would break the game open in the in the fifth inning as they sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs on five hits including a two-run single by Mondragon to grab control of the game.
LBJ would add one more run to its total in the sixth inning after Alessandra Thatcher doubled and scored on a Campos single.
Del Rio’s final run came in the sixth inning. Martinez reached on an error and scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Miamor Salazar.
Ithalia Ozuna, Santana, Martinez, Rebekah Alcaraz and Lauren Sanchez each had one hit for the Queens.
Del Rio is next scheduled to host Laredo United South Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Queens Softball Field. The Queens will play three of their next four games at home to close out the regular season.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
