A quick three runs held up for Dos Pueblos’ softball team in Friday afternoon’s 3-0 win over visiting San Marcos.
“It can be really critical to a game getting the runs early like that, because it really sets the tone and can even put some intimidation on the field,” said DP captain Ashley Herald, who went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Well, San Marcos didn’t look too intimidated after falling behind, allowing just three hits in the final four innings — but the Royals couldn’t cash in the runs when they had a chance.
“I thought we hit balls hard, but when we had runners on we just couldn’t get the ball to go through,” said coach Alex Sheldon.
San Marcos (2-6, 0-2) managed just four hits on the day and went 1-2-3 in four of the first five innings, but the tying run was at the plate in the fourth.
Kelly McKay smacked a ball down the left-field line that would have been a run-scoring triple, but it was ruled a ground-rule double after going out of the playable area in the corner of the outfield. It left Katelynn Kaufman on third and McKay at second with two outs, but the Chargers ended the inning as catcher Krista Martony caught a popped-up foul ball.
Hannah Harris took over for Shelli Sibbert in the circle for DP in the fifth inning and struck out the first three batters she faced, finishing with four strikeouts while allowing two hits in three innings.
Dos Pueblos (4-6, 1-2) pounced right away, as Sibbert and Harris walked to start the game. Both advanced on a wild pitch, and Natalie Waugh grounded out to send Sibbert home. Jordan Roberts then knocked in Harris with a double.
Kristen Kolegraff nabbed a single in the second inning and advanced all the way to third on a pair of wild pitches. Herald then drove her in with a single to end the day’s scoring.
DP coach Donn Roberts said that his players kept focused despite being on the verge of Spring Break.
“We talked about getting ready for this game all week and they stayed focused. My hat’s off to Alex and his group, because they got out and played us hard,” he said.
DOS PUEBLOS 3, SAN MARCOS 0
San Marcos….000 000 0 — 0 4 2
Dos Pueblos…210 000 X — 3 6 0
SM — Mason and Flattery. DP — Sibbert, Harris (5) and Martony, Meyer (5).
2B — SM: McKay, DP: Roberts.
