Deming High Lady 'Cats cruise past Cobre High in softball, 17-6
DEMING – Live pitching in practice has provided a power surge for Lady Wildcat’s softball. The Deming High varsity has belted its way to two season-opening victories – the latest coming on Tuesday against the Cobre High Indians of Bayard, NM. The ‘Cats took down the Silver High Colts 15-5 in Silver City back on Feb. 25.
“I pitch to them from a short distance, and I am able to move the ball from corner to corner – up and down. I think it has been a big difference as opposed to hitting off the pitching machine,” DHS Coach George Ortiz explained.
Deming (2-0) put Cobre on defense early and often in its 17-6 victory on Suzie Morales Diamond at the E.J. Hooten Recreational Complex. The ‘Cats collected 13 hits in a game that was shortened to six innings when senior slugger Nayeli Trujillo delivered a two-run bomb to push the ‘Cats past the Grant County Tribe. Trujillo’s home run cleared the left-field fence and ended the contest via the 10-run rule in walk-off fashion.
Trujillo has made the defensive transition from third base to first base but that hasn’t taken away from her damage at the plate. She lashed out with a 3-for-4 outing against Cobre and drove home five runs in the process. She was a triple away from hitting for the cycle.
“This team works hard in practice,” said senior centerfielder Isis Olivas. The 18-year-old Lady ‘Cats supported the ‘Cat attack with a single and a double for 3 RBI. “We all play as a team and together. We work a lot on our defense, and it has shown in our two wins.”
Deming played errorless ball in support of sophomore pitcher Maribel Enriquez (2-0). The Lady ‘Cat right-hander scattered 10 hits, handed out 5 walks and stranded 11 Cobre baserunners. She has pitched outs and the defense has executed.
Senior lead-off Bianca Valverde set the Lady ‘Cat offense in motion in the bottom of the first inning when she beat out an infield single. One out later, Trujillo singled to move Valverde to second base. Senior Jocelyn Aguayo followed with an RBI single to chase Valverde home with the ‘Cats’ first run.
Deming added a single run in the bottom of the second inning when Yaritza Carrillo walked and scored on a sacrifice fly by Olivas.
The ‘Cats erupted for six runs in the bottom of the third inning when they sent 10 batters to the plate. Trujillo doubled home two runs, Olivas singled home two more, and senior Briana Flores slapped an RBI single during the offensive surge. When Aguayo singled and scored on a series of wild pitches the ‘Cats were looking at an 8-0 advantage.
Cobre (0-2) had an uprising of their own in the top half of the fourth frame. Four runs crossed home plate on five hits to cut the ‘Cats lead in half at 8-4. Senior Taeyah Gonzalez delivered the big blow when she laced an inside-the-park home run to drive in two Lady Indians. Junior Aniela Tellez added a two-run double.
Deming answered in the fifth frame with five runs to up the Lady ‘Cats’ lead to 13-4. Senior Lily McMillan singled home a run and Trujillo hit into a fielder’s choice for another RBI. Two of the runs were unearned and Valverde walked and worked her way around the bases to eventually score on a wild pitch.
Cobre pushed across two runs in the top of the sixth to trail 13-6 when Aizlynn Martinez singled home a run and senior Zynasia Rodriguez lifted an RBI sac-fly.
The Lady ‘Cats closed out the contest with a four-run bottom of the sixth. Flores led off with a double and scored on Valverde’s RBI single. Valverde moved to third on a double by Olivas and would score on a pass ball.
That set the table to Trujillo’s towering 2-run home run to end the game.
Olivas reflected on the Lady ‘Cats’ defense which has been the difference in the first two games of the season. “It was a little different at first, knowing that we have a new pitcher,” she said. “We play together as a team and we all have confidence in what we need to do to be successful.”
The Deming Lady ‘Cats will be on the road for double-header action on Tuesday, March 8. The ‘Cats will play at Santa High School at 5 and 7 p.m.
Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (leave a message) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.
This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: Deming High Lady 'Cats cruise past Cobre High in softball, 17-6
