Marble Falls softball loses to Lago Vista
CAPTION: Callie Phillips (10) had a RBI to score a run against Lago Vista to the delight of head coach Alex Lozoya (seated). Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School softball team lost to Lago Vista 11-1 Feb. 25.
Going into the contest, Marble Falls had been ranked in the top 10 of the Class 4A poll of the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
“When things are going good, you have to keep the same energy,” head coach Alex Lozoya said. “You celebrate wins and enjoy them. Lago Vista was excited to step up on the field.”
The game started well with the Lady Mustangs scoring a run in the first inning thanks to a RBI from Callie Phillips to take a 1-0 lead.
“Callie put the barrel on the ball,” the coach said.
It could have been more, particularly a hit by Jocelyn Suarez. Against other teams, it’s a multi-base shot. But the Lady Vikings got a glove on the ball to slow its momentum, allowing another defender to get the ball and limit the damage.
The Lady Vikings responded in the third inning by putting up 4 runs then added 3 more in the fourth, 1 in the fifth and 3 in the sixth to end the game.
“Lago Vista did a good job of adjusting at the plate and putting the ball in play,” Lozoya said. “Lago Vista played defense, and we struggled to make plays.”
Lago Vista sophomore pitcher Winter Callahan recorded 9 strikeouts.
“Callahan did a great job,” Lozoya said.
The Lady Mustangs, who have their best start in a season in more than a decade, are taking the next step in the process, which is developing competitive maturity. That means understanding opponents know their record and are fired up to play them.
So the Lady Mustangs must step on the diamond mentally and emotionally ready to play and keep that same attitude for a complete game, the coach said.
“That’s the part we’re still trying to work out,” he said. “We’re not sneaking up on anybody. They’re going to give you their best. Against Lorena (a 5-4 loss in eight innings), we needed one or two outs. We couldn’t finish on defense. We were trying too hard to not break and make plays that aren’t there.”
During the practice Feb. 26, Lozoya said the Lady Mustangs had a good practice.
“The energy was up,” he said.
He gathered the players and was honest in his assessment.
“I want you to be good,” he said. “I need you to get the mindset that the goal is to be perfect. There’s room to be disappointed. We want to learn from our mistakes.”
Marble Falls will compete in the Llano tournament Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 27-March 1.
The Lady Mustangs face Wall at 2:30 p.m. at the Sting Field and Goldthwaite at 7:30 p.m. at the high school field both on Thursday.
They begin play Friday against Brownwood at 12:50 p.m. at the high school field and face Glen Rose at 5:50 p.m. at the Sting Field.
They finish the tournament against Comanche at 9:30 a.m. and Goldthwaite at 12:50 p.m., both on the high school field Saturday.
Inclement weather last weekend meant playing fewer games headed into the District 24-4A opener at home against Taylor Tuesday, March 4.
“We need the games,” Lozoya said. “We’re 7-3. (Lago Vista) didn’t burst the bubble of what I think this group can do. It’s not going to take away how excited I am to see this group compete.”
