SAN ANGELO, TX -- The Lake View Maidens won a wild season opener 17-8 against Sonora; all without their head coach Jesse Casarez, who was welcoming his newborn child to his family.
"It's just great to see what we put into practice is coming together as a team," said assistant coach LeAndra Reed, who served as the head coach for the season opener. "I think we all played amazing out there. We all played together as a team. It's just amazing to get the first win of the season."
Freshman Mikaila Wagner made her debut memorable by going 5-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored and three RBIs. Wagner didn't think her varsity debut would go that well when she came back from basketball season.
"But it's a good way to come onto the team and show what I can do," the freshman added.
While she made her first appearance for Lake View, Wagner knows there's a certain buzz around this Maiden team under first-year coach Casarez.
"We had a rough past," Wagner said, "but we're getting better coaches and it's gonna be a good year."
The Maidens had to work for the win, though. Sonora didn't take long to jump out in front.
In the top of the first inning, the Lady Broncos, who are missing a good portion of players due to postseason basketball, got on the board first with an RBI triple from starting pitcher Danyse Cantu. She would later come around to score on an RBI ground out from Sky Hernandez. Dekota Morrow was hit by a pitch before she stole second base and came around to score on a wild pitch.
But Lake View didn't need long to respond.
In the bottom of the first, the Maidens were able to cut into the deficit to make it 3-2. Lake View pitcher Sierra Hernandez reached base on a walk before coming around to score on Lesli Ramirez's error on a fly ball hit to left field by Clarissa Fernandez. Fernandez came around to score one batter later on Wagner's first hit and RBI of her high school career. However, Wagner was stranded at first base.
After allowing a walk to start the second inning, Hernandez recorded her first strikeout of the year and Cassidy Smith turned an unassisted double play for a scoreless top of the second inning.
That's when Lake View's bats exploded. The Maidens sent 10 to the plate and scored six runs to take an 8-3 lead heading into the third inning.
Kristyn Torres kicked off the score-a-palooza after drawing a one out walk. Torres advanced to third on two passed balls before coming around to score on a wild pitch to tie the game.
Aden Flausto then lined a shot at Cantu that caramed away for an RBI base hit to drive in Jasmin Vasquez and give the Maidens the lead. Flausto would come in to score on a two-run single from Fernandez.
Fernandez was then driven in by Wagner. Wagner scored on an RBI single from Mari Zapata to close out the rampant scoring.
Sonora pulled a run back in the top of the third on an RBI fielder's choice from a Shyanne Gamez ground ball that left everyone on the base path safe. However, that was the only run Sonora managed in the frame.
Cantu was able to work around a pair of two-out walks to hold Lake View scoreless in the bottom of the third. Sonora would then go to work in the top of the fourth with Fernandez replacing Hernandez in the pitching circle.
Sonora tagged Fernandez for four runs on one hit and an error before the pitcher exited the circle after a third of an inning. Hernandez re-entered the circle from the outfield and retired the next two batters on a fly out and a ground out to end the inning tied at 8-8.
Looking to regain the lead, Lake View sent another 10 batters to the plate to score four runs and take a 12-8 lead into the fifth. Zapata drove in Wagner with an RBI single to left field.
Smith and Torres would each come around on the same fielding error to cap off the inning's scoring.
Hernandez then found her groove, retiring the next six batters with a pair of strikeouts to her name to secure the win. Lake View tacked on five more runs across the fifth and sixth innings as well.
Hernandez got the winning decision after a gritty effort. She finished the day with 6 and 2/3 innings of work where she struck out five while allowing four runs on one hit with four walks.
Cantu was on the losing end after surrendering all 17 runs in six innings of work. Cantu walked eight batters and hit another, but also struck out five batters.
Lake View (1-0) will participate in the Kerrville tournament this Thursday through Saturday.
Sonora (0-1) will host Crane in their home opener this Friday.
Central Falls in Back-and-Forth Game with Abilene Wylie
The Central Lady Cats dropped their season opener to Abilene Wylie on the road Tuesday 12-8.
Wylie jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the bottom of the first inning. Central responded with five runs in the top of the second.
Alba Rangel drove in Central's first run of the season when her single through the right side of the infield brought in Micaiah Howell. Rylee Dehn scored on a fielder's choice after beating the play at the plate to tie it at two.
Then Wylie committed an error on a ground ball from Ashton McMillan which enabled Rangel and Brilee Bryan to score and give Central a 4-2 lead.
McMillan would then score on a single from Emily Sanchez and bring Central's lead to 5-2 after the top of the second.
Wylie took a one run lead after a four-run second inning.
Lil'emily Sanchez would tie the game again by scoring on a wild pitch in the top of third inning. Wylie would regain the lead in the bottom the inning at 7-6.
Bailey Fulps would tie the game with an RBI ground out that scored McMillan. Emily Sanchez would score again on a wild pitch to give Central an 8-7 lead.
Wylie would go on to score five unanswered runs to win the game.
Fulps got the start for Central. She went three and a third innings, allowing nine runs on eight hits in the losing decision.
McMillan came on in relief of her fellow sophomore, allowing three runs on five hits with a strikeout.
Emily Sanchez had the best day at the plate for Central, going 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk to her name.
Central (0-1) will travel to the Kerrville tournament this Thursday through Friday.
This story will be updated.
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