Lady Loboes Stumble In 8-2 Loss To Midland Christian
    By Randy Hogan,Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, April 11, 2006

Two of West Texas' premier softball programs squared off at the MHS Softball Complex Saturday morning, as Monahans hosted Midland Christian in a non-district game.

Even though there were no playoff implications on the line, the two teams desperately looked to keep their momentum rolling.  However, a key four-run third inning gave the Lady Mustangs the edge in an otherwise tight game, and Midland Christian walked away with an 8-2 victory over Monahans.

Heather Schuler (18-2) suffered only her second loss of the season for Monahans, however, they each came at the hands of defending TAPPS 5A State Champion Midland Christian.  MC defeated Monahans 3-1 in Midland March 14, and coincidently was the last time the Lady Loboes had lost a game.

Each team entered the game coming off key shut out victories in district play as Monahans zipped Fort Stockton 3-0 in District 3-3A Tuesday, and Midland Christian routed Liberty Christian 10-0 in TAPPS District 1-5A.

MC (22-4, 3-0) struck first as Erica Gomez scored on an RBI single from Kresha Adams to give the Mustangs the early advantage.  Adams would also score later in the inning when Jessica Greer dropped a shot into left field to give MC a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning.

Monahans (20-5, 8-0) answered quickly as Brianna Chaney scored on an RBI double from Dina Ortiz to cut the Mustangs lead in half at 2-1.

On the play Ortiz rode a 3-2 pitch from Faith Hart deep to left field fence, and Chaney crossed home plate on the stand-up double to put the Green on the scoreboard.

After a scoreless second inning it appeared that the game would be a defensive struggle, but MC sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the third inning and took a commanding lead in a game where hits didn't come easy.

With bases loaded and only one out Meagan Ulmer lined a shot up the middle to score Adams.  Kaitlin Mitchell fielded the ball and stopped the base runners from advancing further and MC kept the bags loaded.

The Lady Loboes looked to have the second out in hand, but a hard collision between Mitchell and Kellie Almanza on a fly ball to shallow centerfield allowed Gabby Hernandez to score easily from third base.

Jacy Greer and Ulmer each added a run to give the Lady Mustangs a commanding 6-1 lead.

After holding the Mustangs scoreless in the top half of the fourth inning, Monahans picked up a run from Kristy Wilson to close the scoring gap to 6-2.

Wilson entered the game as a courtesy runner for Heather Schuler who led off the inning with a standup double to left field.

On the play Brittany Slade smashed an 0-2 pitch through Megan Swanson's glove at second base to earn the RBI and score Wilson from third base.

Schuler would fine her rhythm from the circle in the fifth inning, striking out Greer and Leigh Ann Staggs.  Schuler recorded seven strikeouts against the Lady Mustangs while hurling 81 strikes in 125 total pitches in the game.

Ortiz ended the inning on a heads up play from her catcher position, gunning down Ulmer at second base for the final out of the inning.

Ulmer was awarded base initially on a controversial call as she was hit by a pitch.  The run-and-slap style batter took Schuler's pitch on the hands, and the umpires sent her to first base.

The final out came as Faith Hart stood at the plate.  Ortiz took a 1-0 pitch out and threw out Ulmer at second base as Almanza made the tag.

Monahans suffered from sporadic hitting throughout the game and were unable to break the Lady Mustang defense for a rally in the late innings.

MC added two assurance runs in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI triple from Adams.

The Lady Loboes had 9 hits in the game, two more than MC's 7.  But six costly errors were more than the Green could overcome in a game against a very experienced and sound team.

Erin Garcia, Lana Santiago, Chaney, Schuler, Slade, Mitchell and Almanza each had a a hit against Hart in the game, while Ortiz smashed two hits and joined Slade with an RBI each.

Up next for Monahans is a date with Pecos as MHS resumes District play with the Lady Eagles Tuesday, in Pecos.

Keyed by Melissa Ramirez, Senior