Lady Lions continue to command District 17-4A
As they head into the bottom of the regular season, the Lady Lions Varsity Softball Team shows no signs of relinquishing their stronghold on the District 17-4A leader board. After a gripping win over the Elgin Lady Wildcats to close the first round of district play, the Lady Lions broke into the second round on fire, scoring more than 20 runs over three games while not allow
ing one member of an opposing team to cross the plate.
Lady Lions v. Manor
On Thursday, April 9, the Lady Lion Varsity softball team began the Easter holiday with a big smile and another win. Lockhart run-ruled the Manor Lady Mustangs 15-0 in four complete innings.
The Lady Lions entered the game with an undefeated 8-0 record and leading district 17-4A.
The Lions scored in the first with Jamie Schulle bringing in Taylor Rives, who had reached first on a walk and was moved into scoring position by Veronica Escobedo’s single.
The Lady Lions scored five more runs in the third, and sealed Manor’s fate in the fourth, picking up another nine.
Amanda Capello lead the team in RBIs with five on the night, three coming in the fourth when she found the gap for a double, bringing home Rives, Escobedo and Schulle who all reached base on singles. Escobedo and Schulle were also standouts at the plate, reaching base four times each on a clean single. Battery for Lockhart was pitcher Rives and catcher A. Capello.
In the short four innings of play Rives struck out six Mustangs and gave up only one hit.
Offensively, the Lady Lions proved why they were sitting pretty in first place. Big hits came from Rives (2 – 3 with a double); Escobedo (4 – 4 with two RBIs); Schulle (4 – 4 with two RBIs); A. Capello (2 – 3 with five RBIs); Chelsy Martinez (2 – 3 with a double); and Brianna Ortiz (2 – 3 with a double and three RBIs). Brandy Stacks added a single and two RBIs, and Chelsea Capello got a single.
Lady Lions v. Lehman
On Monday, April 6, the Lady Lions traveled to Lehman High School to face the Lady Lobos for the last time this season. They deftly defeated the Lady Lobos, 5 -0, improving their district record to 8 – 0 and proving themselves a force to be reckoned with.
Lockhart jumped ahead by scoring one run each in the first, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Lockhart’s bats were a bit asleep, but after some trash talk by a few Lady Lobos the Lady Lions came alive to do all their talking with the bats. A.Capello had a triple, while Escobedo and Rives added a double and an RBI each. Schulle, C. Capello, and Stacks had a single each, while Martinez grabbed an RBI off a Lobo error. On the mound for Lockhart was Rives, who struck out eight Lobos and gave up only one hit.
Varsity v. Hays
On Tuesday, March 31, the Lady Lions faced the scrappy Lady Rebels from Hays High School.
Riding high from a recent victory over the Elgin Lady Wildcats, the Lady Lions didn’t hold back and took the Rebs down, 11 – 0.
Lockhart scored four runs in the first inning when Rives drove in Stacks and C. Capello on a stand-up double to the outfield. Then A. Capello scored Rives off an error from the Rebel third baseman, while Martinez ripped a triple to right-center field to score A. Capello.
The Lady Lions were then on a roll stringing together more hits scoring three more runs in the fourth. Finally, in the sixth inning, Schulle ended any hope Hays might have as she hit the game ending triple, allowing two more Lady Lions to cross home plate.
Rives went 3 – 3 with a double and three RBIs. Other offensive standouts were Schulle (2 – 4 with a triple and three RBIs); Martinez (2 – 3 with a triple); Jessica Henderson with a single and C. Capello with a double. Rives forced the aggressive Lady Rebels to multiple groundouts and fly-outs, striking out six batters and allowing only three hits.
The Lady Lions will close regular season play this week, hosting the Del Valle Lady Cardinals on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and traveling to Elgin to close the season against the Lady Wildcats on Tuesday, April 21.
The Lady Wildcats are one game behind the Lady Lions in district play, and the coaches, team members and parents invite the community to take the short trip to Elgin on Tuesday to see the Lady Lions attempt to close their season on top. Elgin High School is located at 14000 County Line Rd. in Elgin. To reach the stadium, follow Highway 183 north to SH-130 (tolls apply); follow SH-130 to Exit 437 (Austin/Houston); turn right on US-290 East; follow US-290 approximately 10.8 miles to County Line Road; turn left on County Line Road and continue one mile to Elgin High School.
(Courtesy of Alisha Homann)
