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Idalou LadyCat Softball defeats Lubbock Christian HS


Posted Date: 03/08/2017

Idalou LadyCat Softball defeats Lubbock Christian HS

Hernandez leads Idalou past LCHS

BY JEFF TINNELL FOR A-J MEDIA

In a clutch situation Tuesday night against a hard-hitting opponent, Idalou pitcher Marissa Hernandez did what a senior leader is expected to do — take charge.

Hernandez, who started the game before giving way to reliever Kaitlyn Smith, came back to the pitcher’s circle with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh and closed out a 13-9 Idalou win over Lubbock Christian High.

Hernandez struck out Camille Hughes and got the Eagles’ hottest hitter, Hampton Hays, to pop up to second base to end the game and preserve the win.

Idalou, which has gotten a late start to the softball season after a playoff basketball run, had several girls playing in only their second or third softball game. The Lady Cats improved to 6-2 for the season, while Lubbock Christian fell to 11-7.

“At that point (seventh inning), it was a case of our seniors stepping up and showing their leadership and handling the pressure,” Idalou coach Jessica Hernandez said of Marissa Hernandez’s seventh-inning pitching performance. “She got out there and competed well and made some good pitches.”

The pitcher for both teams had the upper hand in the early innings, although Idalou struck for a single run in the first. Lady Eagle shortstop Hampton Hays connected for an inside-the-park home run in the third inning to things up at 1-1.

Idalou then got its bats going. Lady Cat right fielder Reagan Hollingsworth blasted a bases-loaded triple to knock in three runs in a four-run fourth inning, and the Lady Cats took a 5-1 lead into the fifth.

The Lady Eagles responded in the bottom of the fifth, with Kenedy Furr stroking a two-run double as LCHS took a short-lived 6-5 lead into the sixth.

But the Idalou bats were relentless. Lady Eagle pitcher Kaytee Hays, who took a 5-0 record into Tuesday’s game, gave up four runs to the Lady Cats in the top of the sixth before giving way to reliever Haley Brewer.

LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN’S HAMPTON HAYS (5) IS CALLED SAFE AT THE PLATE DURING THE LADY EAGLES’ GAME AGAINST IDALOU ON TUESDAY AT THE DIAMOND AT EAGLE PARK. IDALOU WON, 13-9. (JAY CRAIN/FOR A-J MEDIA)

Idalou’s Kaitlyn Smith, a leader on the basketball team that battled to the regional quarterfinals, had the big hit in the sixth with a two-RBI double.

“Battling back and forth like that, facing adversity and performing under pressure, is going to be huge for us in getting ready for district,” Coach Hernandez said. “I think we’ll be ready.”

Idalou will travel to Snyder for tournament action this weekend. Lubbock Christian will face Denver City on Friday and Brownfield on Tuesday as the Lady Eagles prepare for the opening of 3A TAPPS district play on March 24 against Arlington Pantego Academy. Idalou 13, Lubbock Christian 9 idalou 1 0 0 4 0 4 4 — 13 lcHS 0 0 1 0 5 2 1 — 9

Marissa Hernandez, Kaitlyn Smith (4),

Marissa Hernandez (7) and Hannah Gregory;

Kaytee Hays, Haley Brewer (6) and Kelsee

Hays. W - Kaitlyn Smith, L – Kaytee Hays. 2B: Idalou, Kaitlyn Smith (2); LCHS, Kenedy Furr.

3B: Idalou, Reagan Hollingsworth. HR: LCHS, Hampton Hays.

IDALOU ’S KAITLYN SMITH (18) JUMPS FOR A fly BALL DURING THE LADY WILDCATS’ GAME AGAINST LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN ON TUESDAY. (JAY CRAIN/ FOR A-J MEDIA)

LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN’S HALEY BREWER (3) STRETCHES BUT MISSES ON A THROW DURING THE LADY EAGLES’ GAME AGAINST IDALOU ON TUESDAY. (JAY CRAIN/FOR A-J MEDIA)

IDALOU’S AUTUMN ARGUELLO (15) AND REAGAN HOLLINGSWORTH (5) NEARLY COLLIDE IN THE Outfield DURING THE LADY WILDCATS’ GAME AGAINST LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN ON TUESDAY AT THE DIAMOND AT EAGLE PARK. (JAY CRAIN/ FOR A-J MEDIA)