Protecting my Assets: What kind of life insurance is right for me?

by MARK CAUL

Lehman head coach Nikki Herrera was beaming with pride after her up-and-coming softball squad battled back from a two-run deficit in their final at bat to secure their first-ever win over San Marcos, a 4-3 victory.

“I have been telling my players all season that this is our year to make the playoffs,” Herrera said. “And I think they are finally starting to believe it. Our confidence is extremely high right now. This is a huge win for our program.”

After Lehman’s Mikayla Wenzel struck out with two runners on in the bottom of the sixth to quell a Lehman threat, it appeared as though the Lady Rattlers were well on their way to their second district win.

San Marcos even added another run in the top of the seventh inning on a throwing error by catcher Alicia Garcia to put the Lady Rattlers up 3-1.

After Juliana Hernandez singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning, the next two Lady Lobos were retired in order.

That’s when Lady Lobo shortstop Cydney Ervin managed to leg out an infield single to put runners at the corners.

Then, facing a full count, senior third baseman Liz Valderaz delivered a clutch double to plate both Hernandez and Ervin to tie the score at 3-3.

After Valderaz advanced to third on a wild pitch, sophomore centerfielder Monique Johnson lifted a ball that managed to drop in front of a hard-charging Danielle Doria in right field to score Valderaz from third and send the Lehman fans into a wild celebration.

“I was really nervous when I went up there for that last at-bat,” Johnson said. “But I just wanted to get a hit because we really needed this win.”

The win pushes Lehman (17-7, 2-3) ahead of San Marcos and Del Valle for fourth place in district play.

Lehman travels to Del Valle on Friday and will attempt to even its district record at 3-3.