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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — With the Marble Falls High School softball team in control, one swing of the bat put the March 14 game against Cedar Park Vista Ridge in jeopardy.

In the seventh inning, the Lady Rangers hit a solo home run to tie the game at 2-2.But in the bottom of the inning, the Lady Mustangs came back for a 3-2 victory.

Marble Falls freshman Makenzie Carpenter got to first base off a throwing error. Senior Abby Henry moved her over on a sacrifice bunt, and senior Hayley Fishbeck hit to the right-field gap where the Lady Rangers dropped the ball allowing courtesy runner Amber Blindert to score the game-winning run.

Lady Mustangs head coach Tino Salazar credited his players for finding a way to win, but he also noted they must perform better at the plate to get more than four hits in a contest.

“In the past, we’ve hit the ball,” he said. “In the last two games, I don’t feel like we’ve done a good job at the plate. In batting practice, we’re lighting it up. We have to carry it over into games.”

Salazar praised the defense, noting freshman pitcher Makenzie Carpenter forced the Lady Rangers to hit into routine outs.

“I sat and talked to her,” he said. “She can’t carry this team on her shoulders. She felt like she let the team down (in the 7-1 loss to Cedar Park on March 13). I told her to let the defense help you. It’s a team sport. She did a good job.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

[tabs style=”default”] [tab title=”GAME STATS”]

ON OFFENSE: RBIs – Skyler Riley 2, Hayley Fishbeck 1; hits – Tyler Oppenheim, Amanda Thomas, Abby Henry, Riley; runs scored – Catie Whitecotton, Amber Blindert, Henry

ON DEFENSE: Winning pitcher – Makenzie Carpenter (12-4) 2 earned runs off 3 hits, including a solo home run, 3 walks and 10 strikeouts in 7 innings; losing pitcher – Kelsey Reichmanis 2 earned runs off 4 hits 1 walk and 4 strikeouts.

QUOTABLE: “I really feel like we were fortunate. Every district game is going to be close,” Marble Falls coach Tino Salazar said.

RECORDS: Marble Falls is 17-5 overall and 2-2 in District 25-4A; Vista Ridge is 0-4 in district.

UP NEXT: Marble Falls at Leander Rouse, 1501 CR 271 in Leander, 7 p.m. March 19

[/tab] [tab title=”DISTRICT STANDINGS”]

Dripping Springs, 4-0

Leander, 4-1

Cedar Park, 3-2

Marble Falls, 2-2

Leander Rouse, 1-3

Leander Vandegrift, 1-3

Cedar Park Vista Ridge, 0-4

[/tab] [/tabs]