By Josh Young.
Riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak, the Lehman girls’ softball team welcomed the Lockhart Lady Lions for a critical matchup at Lobo Field Tuesday night.
With both teams desiring victory to keep them near the top of the standings, the atmosphere was intense from the start. It became clear that runs would be at a premium even as the two squads allowed base runners and repeatedly pitched out of tight spots.
In the end, the Lobos came through with the late clutch hits and prevailed by a score of 2-1.
Lobo senior pitcher Sam Villegas winds up during Lehman’s Spring Break game against Seguin. On Tuesday, Villegas held off a determined Lockhart offense for a 2-1 victory. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
The nerves were obvious from the beginning for both teams as Lehman starting pitcher Samantha Villegas walked the first two hitters she faced before settling down and pitching her way out of the inning.
The Lady Lobos suffered the same fate in the bottom half of the inning as they stranded a runner on third to end their half of the first. That became a common theme, as inning after inning the game hinged on the ability of each team’s starting pitcher to strikeout batters with runners on base.
“I was a little anxious in the first couple of innings because I know they are a good team and we really wanted to win,” Villegas said about her early game jitters. “The defense definitely did their job tonight.”
After Villegas settled down, she sparked the Lady Lobos on offense as well in the bottom of the fourth by reaching on an infield single. Lehman utilized courtesy runner Irene Maldonado to run for Villegas; she quickly advanced to second on a wild pitch then followed that up with a steal of third base. She scored the game’s first run as the throw sailed wide into left field.
Without hitting the ball out of the infield, the Lady Lobos had a 1-0 lead.
Again, Villegas worked her way out of a jam with two runners on in the top of the fifth as she struck out a Lockhart hitter to end the Lady Lions’ threat. The Lady Lobos countered in the bottom half as junior Angel Cruz reached base and sophomore Kynslee Noriega sacrificed her to second.
Villegas delivered again, this time with a sharp single up the middle scoring Cruz giving the Lady Lobos an important insurance run.
Lockhart managed a run in the top of the sixth, but could not find the big inning they needed. After being retired in order for the only time all game, the Lady Lobos were back on defense, needing only three outs for the victory.
With Villegas still on the mound, the Lady Lobos got two quick outs and seemed ready to celebrate. Lockhart’s last hope stepped to the plate and laced a single to right that skipped all the way to the wall, allowing her to reach third base.
Now facing another tough situation, Villegas buckled down and punctuated the victory with a strikeout of the next hitter as the Lady Lobos flooded the mound in celebration.
Villegas tossed a complete game allowing four hits, striking out seven, and giving out six base on balls. At the plate, she was 3 for 3 with a double to left, a rally starting single, and the game-winning RBI on a solid single to centerfield.
“I was glad I got those hits and was able to contribute to our victory. I’m proud of my teammates for having my back out there tonight,” she said after the game.
Lehman head coach Bill Holmes was also impressed with Villegas’ performance on the night as he explained how she was able to get out of pressure packed innings.
“She got herself in trouble, but she was able to get out of it,” he said. “She settled in about the fourth inning and started getting the ball down and using her changeup more effectively.”
The Lady Lobos now stand with a 4-2 district record and look forward to closing out the first round of the district schedule on Friday night at Schertz Clemens.
