Marble Falls softball team beats Texas City in last at-bat in Barbecue Classic

MARBLE FALLS — A pitchers’ duel was decided in the last at-bat. And the bottom of the batting order came through for the Marble Falls High School softball team in a 2-1 victory against Texas City on Feb. 15 in the Barbecue Classic at Scearce Softball Field.

PHOTO: Marble Falls High School’s lead-off batter Tyler Oppenheim attempts an infield single during the Lady Mustangs’ 2-1 win against Texas City on Feb. 15. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

Lady Mustang Skyler Riley led off the seventh inning with a double to the left-centerfield gap, and Catie Whitecotton reached first on a third-strike drop by the Texas City catcher. Then, Tyler Oppenheim, who is known for her ability to outrun infield singles to first base, hit a dink over the shortstop’s head for the game-winning RBI single.

Marble Falls head coach Tino Salazar said what his team saw in this game will be similar to what the Lady Mustangs will get in District 25-4A: solid pitching with contests decided in the final two innings.

And he was pleased to see his players respond.

“I think it means a lot,” he said. “I want to go through games like this early (in the season.) It was good to see them fight.”

Marble Falls batters struck out 12 times and stranded seven runners but mustered four hits with two in the bottom of the seventh.

The Lady Mustangs’ other run came in the fifth inning when Riley reached on an infield single and got home on a throwing error.

Salazar said he’s told his players they must have confidence when they’re batting. And he’s looking to see that confidence in as they approach the plate, he said.

Freshman pitcher Makenzie Carpenter gave up an unearned run and two hits and recorded 11 strikeouts in seven innings.

“She looked sharper than she did (in the 7-0 win against Wimberley on Feb. 12),” he said. “Her rise ball was better. She sure looked better than she did (in the 2-0 loss to Liberty Hill on Feb. 14).”

Salazar said one area he’s challenged Carpenter to improve on is finding her spots when she is behind in the pitch count.

He was equally pleased with the way the defense played behind their pitcher.

“We made some plays,” he said. “We wanted them to stay up. Strikeouts are boring. They know to be on their toes and stay focused through the whole game.”

ON OFFENSE: Skyler Riley 1 single, 1 double, 2 runs scored

ON DEFENSE: Pitcher Makenzie Carpenter 11 strikeouts, 2 hits, 1 unearned run

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 2-1.

UP NEXT: Marble Falls vs. Odessa Permian at 5 p.m. Feb. 15 and Kerrville Tivy at 5 p.m. Feb. 16 at Scearce Softball Field, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls, in Barbecue Classic