Ladies Beat the 'Ettes in Lobo Battle
    by Jessica Ray, Staff Writer ~~ The Monahans News, May 15, 2007

The Monahans Lady Lobo softball team took on the Levelland Loboettes for the Regional Quarterfinal Championship over the weekend.  Solid defense held the Loboettes to zero throughout the series and gave Monahans the title and a ticket to the next round.

Friday night, it didn't take long for the Ladies to score.  After a 0-0 first inning, Heather Schuler picked three up, three down in the second.  After Dina Ortiz's base hit in the bottom of the second, Heather Schuler took advantage of a work to advance Ortiz to second base.  A bunt by Kellie Almanza loaded the bases.  When Bailey Marcum came to bat, the base were still loaded with two outs.  Ortiz slid home on a passed ball to give the team a 1-0 lead.  Marcum then hit a triple up the middle for two more runs.

The fifth inning was Levelland's best in game one.  After a quick strikeout by Schuler, the Loboettes put two runners on base. Marcum caught a hit for the second and third base.   With two outs on the board against Levelland, Schuler wrapped up the inning with a strikeout.

Offensively, the Ladies were unable to bring in any more runs, but the defense held on tight to the three that were already in the bag and ended the day with a 3-0 win.

Saturday's game two appeared to present more of a challenge for the Lady Loboes.  Levelland's pitching improved seemingly overnight.  While it was unclear when the Ladies would be able to do offensive damage, it was crystal clear that the team wasn't letting up on defense.  Neither was Levelland.

The bottom of the tenth was promising for Monahans when Ortiz and Santiago were on second and third and Wilson was up to bat.  The three met with Head Coach David Parker before the pitch, but when Wilson couldn't get the hit, the game went into an eleventh inning.

Marcum hit safely to first and then stole second.  When Mitchell hit herself to first base, Marcum advanced to third.  Kellie Almanza doubled immediately after to bring in Marcum to finally break the deadlock and give Monahans the lead.  When shortstop Almanza went to catch a hit for the second out, she collided with a Levelland runner just short of the ball.  Levelland fans cheered when a Loboette ran home.  Thankfully, the officials called the interference and a no-run and Levelland was left with just one runner on third base  and two outs.  Mitchell caught the next hit in center field to end the game at 2-0.  Her face was stone for three to five seconds, until the realization of the win set in and the team was all smiles.

At this point of the year, scoring many times is not easy, and I was proud of our kids for being able to manufacture some runs.  Our defense answered the call multiple times to win championships," said Coach Parker.

The Lady Loboes have earned a spot in the Regional Semifinals against Burkburnett.  Last year, Burkburnett couldn't get past bi-district and haven't been this far in the playoffs since 2001, when they lost in the Regional Finals to Wichita Falls Rider, but were playing in conference 4A.

"From what I hear, Burkburnnett is a good team.  They came down from 4A last year," said Coach Parker.  "I've beard they have a good pitcher and play pretty good defense, probably similar to Levelland, maybe a little better.  It will be a good series.  Our pitching and defense is right where it needs to be right now, but our hitting needs to come around some before the weekend."

What isn't evident in the spectator stands is that pitcher Heather Schuler has been battling tendonitis in her wrist for the past two months.

 "She'll take it easy for a couple days again and will be ready to go again this weekend," said Parker.

Coach Parker also pointed out that there are only 16 3A teams in the state who are still playing.  "We are all exited to be one of them," he said.

Monahans will face the Burkburnett Lady Bulldogs this Friday and Saturday in Abilene.  Game one will start at 8 pm at Abilene Christian University.  Saturday's game site is still undecided, but game two will be at 6 pm.  If game three is needed, it will begin at 8 pm.

Keyed by Alvin Porras, Senior '07 & Chance Helmers, Junior '07