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Rattlers Softball Team Squeaks past Mules
By Robert Doyen March 04, 2005
 In a contest that saw three lead changes, both teams came out charging and finished strong, but it was the Rattlers who finished on top Friday night, defeating Alamo Heights seven to six.
“That’s a good win for us,” said head coach Cathy McBride, “They came out and jumped on us early, but we came through with the key plays when we needed them.”
The game was saved for the Rattlers at the conclusion of a wild play in the final inning. After a hit the ball was thrown from right field to third base to second base as the Rattlers chased the Mules’ base runners all over the diamond. Once the ball went to second, Alamo Heights’ Chloe Ochse tried to come in for the score from third but a throw to Caroline Juarez at home plate resulted in a tag of the base runner inches before she reached the plate.
“It was a close play but Caroline did a great job of blocking the plate.” said coach McBride.
Both squads started off red hot offensively. An exciting first inning saw a total of eight runs scored by both teams.
The Mules’ Amanda Brightwell and Emily Jackson scored back to back runs early in the inning off of RBI doubles by Jackson and Adair Meaden. Soon afterward Chloe Ochse drove Adair in on a single up the middle of the field.
With things beginning to look grim the Rattlers answered back quickly with their own onslaught of runs in the bottom of the first. Leean Colderon started the outburst with a run from third after a bunt by Jackie Contreras, and then Contreras got all the way back to home plate after a throwing error. After a few good singles the Rattlers loaded up the bases. Then Natalie Delgado drove in a run with a single up the left baseline, and Belynn Gonzalez drove in two runs with a double up the middle.
The girls cooled off a bit after the first inning. The score remained five to three until the top of the third when Emily Jackson of the Mules scored again on a throwing error after she stole third base.
The game became a defensive struggle for the next two innings with both pitchers, Alamo Heights’ Bailey Paul and the Rattlers’ Natali Delgado, throwing very well.
Then in the sixth inning Alamo Heights made the game much more interesting by scoring two runs to go ahead six to five.
“Heights did a great job. They hit the ball well,“ said coach McBride, “We relaxed a little bit and let them sneak back into the game.”
The Lady Mules loaded up the bases in the sixth inning. Then Amanda Brightwell drove in the game tying run, and a hit batter walked the go ahead run across the plate. All the while they shouted out synchronized cheers from the dugout to try to gain an edge.
The Rattlers once again responded brilliantly to adversity. With runners on first and third Jackie Contreras stole second. The Mules threw to second to try to get her out and Leean Colderon took advantage stealing home from third to tie up the game.
Bryn Major came up to bat next with a runner on third. Bailey Paul’s first pitch went wild, but Contreras stayed on third. Paul’s next pitch also got away from the catcher and this time Contreras charged the plate and barely beat the tag to put her team up by one run. The Rattlers went on to load the bases but could not capitalize with any more runs.
Jessica Gonzalez came in as a relief pitcher for the final inning and did a fine job. The Mules missed an opportunity to tie up the game on an amazing throw-out at the plate, and starting pitcher Natalie Delgado caught the final two outs of the game as a first baseman.
“Natalie threw a lot of pitches tonight and did a heck of a job,” said coach McBride, “And Jessica did a great job of coming in and shutting them out in the last inning.”
“This team’s got a lot of fight, a lot of talent and solid athletes all the way around. I’m very proud of how they came back after a flat start.”
The Rattlers are 6-4 on the season and 1-0 in district play after the victory over Heights. Their next game is on Tuesday in Seguin. The JV softball team defeated Heights six to three.
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