Marble Falls softball crushes Manor New Tech

CAPTION: Marble Falls junior second baseman Kylie Roberts catches this line drive for an out, the first of her three big defensive plays to ensure the Lady Mustangs got the win. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School softball team stomped Manor New Tech 11-0 March 5.

The Lady Mustangs (10-8-2) scored two in the first inning thanks to a walk and a hit by pitch when the bases were loaded

In the second inning, freshman Jocelyn Suarez hit a 2 RBI triple to center field that wasn’t caught by the outfielder then came home on a throwing error to first base thanks to a hit by junior Cheyenne Thompson. Thompson later scored on a pass ball for the 6-0 advantage.

In the third inning, junior second baseman Kylie Roberts caught a line drive for the first out. After a batter reached base on a fielding error, junior pitcher Camille Catalfamo struck out the next two batters to strand the runner.

Marble Falls added four more runs in its half of the inning.

Junior Emma Cayce hit to centerfield for a base hit and the Lady Mustangs drew walks to load the bases. With two outs, Roberts hit a 2 RBI double to center field then later scored on an infield single by Suarez.

The Lady Mustangs were tested in the fourth inning. Roberts made a terrific over-the-shoulder catch in shallow center field for the second out. A late throw to second base allowed New Tech to load the bases. A flyball to left field ended the threat.

Junior first baseman Sophia Biagini started Marble Falls with a triple to right field and scored on a wild pitch.

In the next inning, the New Tech batter hit a ball back to Catalfamo that got past her but not Roberts, who got to the grounder near second base and turned to throw to first for the out. After a walk, the next batter was called out for leaving the box early. Then the runner at second was thrown out trying to steal.

Head coach Alex Lozoya said Catalfamo continues to get better with every outing. Case in point was the third inning when she struck out the last two batters she faced. The coach noted she is feeling more comfortable and coaches can see trust is developing throughout the defense.

“I think Camille had a good approach,” he said. “It was a good performance. You have to find a way to take care of what’s in front of you. We had a couple of walks, a couple of hits by pitch. But we found a way to get out of it. Camille is still very young. She competes. When she’s not pitching, she’s the big cheerleader. She wants to compete and contribute.”

Roberts said she was happier with her defensive plays than her batting. Lozoya summed up her contributions on both.

“Big-time players make big-time plays,” he said. “Kylie made three big-time plays. We want kids who have confidence. It gets everybody going and confident. It takes pressure off everyone having to be perfect.”

Offensively, Lozoya noted the Lady Mustangs are stringing together hits and make very few base running errors.

“Even the bottom of our line-up is finding ways to get on base,” he said. “In the second and third innings, we scored four runs. They’re finding ways to get on base. That’s the goal.”

As Lozoya reflected on the win and the steps that have the team moving in the positive direction, he emphasized it’s a complete effort. And that includes the work of assistant coaches Hailey Wooten and Aspen Howie, who are constantly talking to players as they are the first and third base coaches when the Lady Mustangs are batting. When Lozoya is talking to the pitcher and catcher, Wooten is speaking to the infielders and Howie is talking to the outfielders.

“I can’t praise the work of coach Howie and coach Wooten enough,” he said. “I’m very pleased and proud of the efforts. (The players) know the play they want to make. They understand where to go with the ball. Now they have to make the play. We’re getting ourselves ready for a tough district. Regardless of the results, the goal is to be better than we were before. And we want to say a big thanks to all of our teachers who came out to watch. The kids see their support, too.”

Watch videos on Highland Lakes sports by going to Fierro’s YouTube channel and searching for The Broad Podcaster. Please like, subscribe and share.

CAPTION: Marble Falls assistant coach Hailey Wooten fist-bumps junior Cheyenne Thompson after she reached base on an error and made her way to third base. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro