Lady Lions open season with big win over Mules
The Varsity Lady Lions kicked off the first round of District Play on Feb. 28 on the road, traveling to San Antonio to face Alamo Heights. The Lady Lions came home with a crushing 11-2 victory over the Mules.
The Lady Lions jumped ahead in the first inning scoring two runs. Mackinzee Griebel led the offense off with a single through the middle of the infield. Giselle Maciel
grounded out to the pitcher to move Griebel to second base. On the next pitch, Griebel advanced to third off of a passed ball and scored from a ground ball to short by Chelsea Capello. Mikaela Flores ripped a two-out double off the right field fence. Catcher Alicia Garcia added a back-to-back double to left-center to score Flores from second.
The Lady Lions added two more to the scoreboard in the second inning. Gabby Ybarra led things off with a single to left and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from Katrina Mills. Griebel once again lined a single up the middle to score Ybarra from second base. Griebel advanced to second on the throw to home and once again swiped third base on a passed ball. Maciel used her speed to beat out an infield hit that Griebel was able to take advantage on and score Lockhart’s fourth run.
In the third, Capello knocked a single to centerfield. The next batter, Flores, quickly added her second double of the game to move Capello to third. Garcia then singled to right to score Capello and moved Flores to third.
Flores was picked off at third by the pitcher on the next play, as Garcia stole second base.
The designated player, Nicole Reyes, singled to right field to score Garcia from second. Reyes was relieved by pinch runner Alex Martinez, who advanced to second on a passed ball and was moved to third from a ground ball-out from Ybarra.
Katrina Mills singled to right field, but was thrown out trying to advance to second on a throwing error from the right fielder. Martinez scored from third thanks to Mills’ single.
Zierra Gonzales led things off in the fourth with a single to center. Maciel drew a walk to advance Gonzales to second. Capello recorded her second hit and second RBI of the game with a single to left to score Gonzales from second.
In the fifth, Lockhart only recorded a lead off hit by Reyes. The next three batters were retired in order.
In the sixth, Griebel once again set the table with a stand up triple to right field. Maciel added another single to score Griebel from third. Flores continued her hot streak with a sky-high fly ball barely missing the outside of centerfield. The long fly ball grazed the top on the fence, allowing Flores to reach third. The long triple score Maciel from first. Garcia added her third hit of the day to score Flores for the eleventh run of the game. Ybarra then ripped a single to left field, but Garcia was thrown out at home while trying to score the Lady Lions 12th run.
Mikaela Flores got the win on the mound, striking out five while allowing six hits.
Griebel went 3-4 with one RBI. Flores also went 3-4, with one RBI and Garcia was 2-3 with three RBIs.
The Lady Lions will travel to San Marcos on Friday and face Hays on Tuesday, then return home to host Canyon on Friday, March 16.
(Courtesy of Katy Snell)
