A four-run first inning blitz was enough to carry the Lehman Lobos softball team to a 7-5 win over the Lake Travis Cavaliers Monday, inching the program closer to a possible playoff berth.
The win, which was the Lobos’ seventh victory in district play, places Lehman (21-8, 7-4) into a tie with Del Valle for third place in the 25-6A standings with five games left.
Lobo head coach Robert Young said his program is “trucking along” as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.
“If we win one of the next two games, we’re sitting right where we want to be,” Young said.
Guiding the Lobos Monday was an offense that scattered 12 hits on a pair of Cavalier pitchers in the contest. Leading that charge was third baseman Isabel Harrington, who went 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBI’s and two runs scored, as well as designated player Emily Perry, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Young lauded the efficiency of his batters who delivered key hits in timely situations.
“It’s a roller coaster ride, usually. Someone’s hot for two games and someone is not,” Young said. “It don’t matter. If you get one hit a game, that’s great. That’s right where you want to be and that’s what we’re doing at this time.”
Lehman leapt out to a 4-0 lead aided by RBI singles from Perry, Harrington, Seryna Avalos and Aliyah Tanguma. Lehman sent nine total batters to the plate in the first frame.
Lake Travis, however, countered with runs in the second and third innings, which were partially aided by Lobo fielding miscues. Lehman’s defense committed six total errors in the game.
Young said playing with a lead, especially in the latter innings, is still a new experience for some of his players.
“It’s gut check time for some of them,” Young said. “We’re still making a few mistakes. When we’ve got a lead, we have to play with the lead and throw with the lead and make the routine play.”
Meanwhile, the Lobo offense continued its onslaught and countered with a run in the third, fourth and sixth innings, giving Lehman a 6-3 advantage heading into the seventh frame. Lake Travis scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Providing support was Lobo pitcher Lexi Bechtel who struck out two batters and gave up three hits and three walks in seven innings. Bechtel’s ability to escape trouble left six Cavaliers stranded on the basepaths.
Young said solid defensive support behind Bechtel has led to success.
“We’ve been in this countless times. I’ve told them, ‘Let’s let Lexi throw it and we’ll have to make a play,’” Young said.
Improving in several areas is the goal for the Lobos as they prepare for a critical road trip to Del Valley Friday, Young said.
Lehman hosts rival Hays Tuesday before traveling to take on Anderson April 12. Lehman’s final home game of the regular season is April 16 against Bowie. All games start at 7 p.m.
