Lady Loboes Fall in Home Opener 8-4
    By Randy Hogan, Staff Writer ~ The Monahans News, February 24, 2006

The Monahans Lady Loboes stumbled in their home opener Tuesday, dropping an 8-4 decision to Alpine Tuesday night.

"I think we came in a little overconfident," said MHS coach David Parker. "It is hard to beat them three times within a week."

The Lady Loboes opened the season at Alpine, claiming a 7-2 win, and once again defeated the Lady Bucks 12-1 in the Andrews tournament last weekend.

Sophomore Kaitlin Mitchell took the circle for the Ladies in a game that was delayed until after 8 pm.

The Lady Bucks proved why they were a playoff team in 2005, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning.

Monahans (2-2) countered in the bottom half of the inning as Dina Ortiz smashed an RBI double to score lead off batter Ashton Jarrett. Alpine worked out of a jam to retire the side, but the Lady Loboes had cut the score in half and trailed 2-1.

Alpine delivered the knock out punch in the second inning as they hammered out a huge 7-1 lead, highlighted by a grand slam home run.

Heather Schuler moved from shortstop to the pitchers circle in relief of Mitchell, and the Lady Bucks added their final run of the night in the top half of the third inning.

The Lady Loboes mounted a two out rally led by a Brianna Chaney single to right field.  Dina Ortiz followed with a rip through the short stop to give the Green, runners at first and second base.

Kellie Almanza entered the game as a courtesy runner for Ortiz, who is rehabilitating an injured ankle.

Erin Garcia smashed a big RBI double to score Chaney and Almanza, cutting the deficit to 8-3.

Schuler would control the Lady Bucks the rest of the way at the plate, and MHS played shutout defense.

"I am used to coming in to this type situation," said Schuler.

"I have been under pressure in competitive ball most of my life, so it is natural for me to come in and keep my focus."

Monahans made one more push in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Almanza got on base to start the rally. Jarrett pounded a ball deep into left field, and MHS had runners at second and third base.

Chaney returned to the plate and picked up an RBI on a deep fly ball to left field, allowing Almanza to tag and score easily. Alpine regrouped to retire the side and win the late night game 8-4.

"We'll be OK," said Dina Ortiz. "we are playing more as a team this year, and are working to get our chemistry as a team."

Monahans travels to Midland this weekend to compete in the Annual West Texas Classic.

By Jason Dimm, Senior