The ending score was tied up for most of the game between the Matadors and the Wilcox Chargers. In the last inning, the Matadors had a lead-off hit by senior Clarissa Wells with the top of the order batting next. However, they could not string together hits, and while Wells was on third base poised to make a run to tie the score against the Wilcox Chargers, the final out was made.
From the end of the first inning to the top of the sixth, the Lady Matadors (8-6, 0-1) were tied in the March 23 league game at Wilcox High School. In the end, Wilcox pulled ahead in the top of the sixth inning, ending the game 3-2. Third baseman senior Julia Peters went 3-4 while center fielder senior Justine Young hit 2-3 with a walk. Starting pitcher Senior Alanna Onishi, despite fighting a cold that made her miss four days of school, was instrumental in keeping the Chargers at bay.
“We missed some executions in some places. We need … to get some bunts down, and defensively there were some errors,” coach Raymond Teixeira said.
In the top of the first inning, Wilcox scored two runs, but before the Chargers could score any more runs, Wells caught a fly ball hit by Wilcox senior Stephanie Pickard for the third out.
The Matadors matched the Chargers with two runs made in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Carla Mack hit a ground ball that allowed her to run to first. Mack was able to run to second on a line drive made by senior Julia Peters, and a hit to left field by freshman Noa Yakir gave the opportunity for both Mack and Peters to score runs.
Neither the Matadors nor the Chargers were able to score any runs for four innings. In the bottom of the third inning, Peters hit another line drive for a single. Yakir, the next batter, drew a walk, putting Peters in scoring position.
However, the Chargers switched pitchers from Wilcox senior Brianna Massey to freshman Morgan Ratliff, who ended the inning with three consecutive outs.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Matadors’ defense prevented the Chargers from making a run. Wilcox junior Nicole Rodriguez advanced to third base, and made to steal home on Onishi’s wild pitch.
Before Rodriguez could reach home, catcher junior Kalani Seaver threw to pitcher Onishi who tagged Rodriguez out, ending the inning and keeping the teams tied at 2-2.
“I was thinking, please, just make it a good throw,” Onishi said.
In the top of the sixth inning, Ramirez scored a single, who then advanced to third on Pickard’s walk and Wilcox senior Sara Cohen’s sacrifice bunt. Wilcox sophomore Cori Aggarwal sent the ball down center field, where it escaped the fielders’ gloves, allowing Ramirez to score a run. The Matadors were close to tying the game in the seventh inning with third and second bases occupied by Wells and freshman Tammana Ahluwalia respectively. However, the Chargers ended the inning by putting Yakir out at first.
“We did really well despite losing,” Onishi said. “This was one of the few games where we were really loud, supporting each other.”
The Matadors’ next home game will be at Homestead High School against the Homestead Mustangs on March 28.
