Routine plays result in Lady Stangs’ win
GRANGER — The Marble Falls High School softball team can’t measure the 2-0 win against Granger in the number of runs scored.
Or in the number of strikeouts junior pitcher Payton Peril recorded.
Rather, the Lady Mustangs (4-15) should measure it as the first victory in what head coach David Orsag hopes is the start of a winning streak.
IN PICTURE: Marble Falls junior infielders Allison Bendas (front) and Shannon Bendas are competing on the varsity team for the second year. Courtesy photo
“It took more time to drive there than it did to play,” he said. “There were a lot of three-ups and three-downs.”
The Lady Mustangs scored a run in the fourth and in the seventh innings.
In the fourth, junior Mattie Counts led off with a single. Freshman Abby Henry bunted Counts to second.
With two outs, Peril hit a ball that dropped just behind second base, allowing Counts to score.
In the seventh inning, Henry led off with a double, freshman Katie Whitecotton bunted her to third and junior Shannon Bendas hit an RBI single.
Though Peril was not overpowering in the circle, Orsag said she managed the game well.
He was especially proud of the defense, noting the Lady Mustangs made routine plays throughout the contest.
“(Peril) was making them hit outs, groundballs and popouts,” the coach said, “what I said we’d have to do all year long. She never got in trouble.”
The elements of what makes a softball team successful were apparent in the win, Orsag said.
“When you don’t make an error, you have a chance,” he said. “When you cut down on walks and errors, you give yourself a chance.”
Marble Falls recorded one error, but what pleased the coach was the Lady Mustangs did not allow it to balloon to multiple mistakes.
“It wasn’t one of those that turned into three or four,” he said. “Here lately, one error turns to two, two turns into three. Next thing you know, you’re giving them six outs in one inning.”
Orsag chuckled when asked how the coaches have taught the players to limit the error to one.
“If I knew that, I’d be a genius,” he said with a grin. “I’m hoping that’ll carry over to Brownwood (Tuesday at 7 p.m.). If we don’t make a bunch of errors, we have a chance against anybody.”
Offensively, the Lady Mustangs were able to hit the ball, forcing the Granger defense to make plays to keep the game close.
“We hit the ball better than we have been,” Orsag said. “If we can continue to do that, we have a chance. The better (hitters) have to be more consistent.”
The Lady Mustangs skipper complimented Granger, noting it was a solid squad.
“They’re probably going to be a playoff team,” he said. “They’re not a (Pflugerville) Hendrickson or Lampasas. I think they’re as good as teams we have to beat in District (25-4A).”
The hope is this game and the one Tuesday at Brownwood will give the Lady Mustangs confidence before they travel to face Lake Travis Friday in the district opener.
“We have to build confidence whether we win or not,” he said. “We have to play well.”
And he reminded the players their record doesn’t mean anything come Friday.
“We’re 0-0,” he said. “(The Brownwood contest) is our last game to practice. I don’t care if we go 4-16 and then go 7-3 in district. We’re in the playoffs.”