#8 Ladies Stumble at Midland Christian
    by Randy Hogan, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News ~~ 3-17-06

The #8 State ranked Lady Lobo softball team dropped a non-district game to Midland Christian 3-1 on Tuesday night, snapping the nine-game winning streak the team had built going into the battle with the defending TAPPS State champion Lady Mustangs.

MC scattered 10 hits in the game and were able to string enough together to hold off a charge by Monahans.

Heather Schuler (12-1) took her first loss of the season from the circle in Midland.

She who came into the game unbeaten and sporting an incredible ERA of 1.08 in 78 innings, pitched six innings and gave up to hits against the powerful Lady Mustangs.

In her total of 103 pitches, Schuler blasted 62 strikes that included 2 strikeouts in the game.

Midland Christian (13-3) struck early as they scored two runs in the bottom half of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.

However, Monahans (14-4) answered back in the top of the second inning, when Lana Santiago crossed the plate for the Green to cut the lead in half at 2-1.

Santiago hit 2 for 3 on the night including a double.  She continues to lead the Lady Loboes a the plate with an amazing .569 batting average and a slugging percentage of .824.

Schuler went 2 for 3 at the plate, and Brianna Chaney added 2 hits on 4 at bats in the game for MHS.

Kaitlin Mitchell had the only other hit in the game, as she went 1 for three against MC pitcher Meghan Swanson.

Midland Christian added an assurance run in the fifth inning to move the score to 3-1.

Monahans had seven hits in the game, but 4 costly errors were too much to overcome against such a quality team.

"It was a good experience for us tonight," MHS coach David Parker said.  "Of course we want to win, but we learned a lot from this game. 

MHS will get a second chance at Midland Christian on April 8, as the Lady Mustangs are scheduled to come to the MHS softball complex.

The loss has no effect on the District 3-3A race, and Monahans remains the only undefeated team in District 3-3A.

The ladies got a big favor from Seminole, who knocked off Greenwood 5-4 Tuesday night in Midland.

With the loss, Greenwood is 10-7 overall, but more importantly drop to 2-1 in District 3-3A play.  Monahans now has sole possession of first place in the District.

"The Seminole win at Greenwood was a perfect example of what we talk about," Coach Parker said.  "You can't under-estimate anyone, or you will get yourself beaten."

The Rangerettes, host Fort Stockton on Friday.

The Lady Loboes enter a tough home stretch of district games that begin with longtime district rival Pecos on Friday at 5 pm.  MHS will then host Greenwood on March 21, and Presidio on March 24.