Marble Falls softball dominates Game 1, loses Game 2 to Austin Crockett
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
UPDATE: Austin Crockett beats Marble Falls 3-2 in Game 2 of their bi-district series April 27. Game 3 should start about 6:30 p.m. Tune in to KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune. Read full game stories at DailyTrib.com after the completion of Game 3.
AUSTIN — The Marble Falls High School softball team’s 14-2 thumping of Austin Crockett sent a strong message that the Lady Mustangs were ready for the playoffs.
Marble Falls head coach Tino Salazar said it was the most complete game his squad has played in a while.
Marble Falls (21-10) scored nine runs in the third to build an insurmountable lead in Game 1 of the best-of-three bi-district series April 26.
And the Lady Mustangs did it with junior Amanda Thomas’ pitching arm and bat.
Thomas got her team going with a two-run homer in the third inning that opened the offensive floodgates.
Marble Falls was aggressive in running the bases, utilizing the team speed to put pressure on the Lady Cougars’ defense. That was part of the plan, Salazar said.
“I always preach take two bases,” Salazar said.
The scoring came after Crockett (19-6) tied the contest on a run the officials awarded, calling obstruction against Marble Falls.
The Lady Mustangs had eight hits in the third inning and two walks, chasing freshman pitcher Sara Sanders (18-5) out of the circle.
That was more than enough runs for pitcher Thomas (7-3), who went the distance. She gave up two earned runs and struck out eight.
Salazar said he gave Thomas the ball for several reasons.
“Experience,” he said. “And the muggy weather.”
Thomas had five RBIs, seniors Hayley Fishbeck and Hailey Wooten and freshman Makenzie Carpenter had two RBIs each and sophomore Sarah Hodgdon, junior Skyler Riley and senior Abby Henry each had an RBI.
Game 2 is 1 p.m. April 27 at Scearce Softball Field, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.
Carpenter (14-7) is expected to start at pitcher.
jfierro@thepicayune.com