By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This Tuesday, March 21, Port Isabel hosted La Grulla in a softball district matchup. It was a night where everything was clicking for PI. The Lady Tarpons had a dominant showing as they came up with some big hits and a solid pitching performance by Celina Marchan, as they took a 14-0 win.
The Lady Gators opened up the game with a bunt, but PI pitcher Marchan quickly fielded the ball and threw her out at first base. The next batter was struck out on a full count for out number two. The next batter also had a full count, but Marchan caught her looking for out number three.
In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Layni Mata took the base on balls. The next batter, Natalie Martinez, also took first base on a “hit by pitch”. PI took advantage of a wild pitch to Chelsea Gonzalez to advance the runners to second and third bases. Gonzalez managed to hit a deep ball to centerfield for a standup double bringing in two runs. Next batter, Marchan hit the ball to centerfield for single. Marchan stole second on a wild pitch to April Puente. Lady Gators got their first out on a pop out by Puente. The next batter, Malia Villarreal, was walked on balls. Oasys Martinez got on base on a fielder’s choice as the runner was thrown out at home plate for out number two. The Lady Gators got the next batter to pop out for the final out as the Lady Tarpons ended the inning with a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the second inning, Marchan honed her pitching and became more precise as she went on to strikeout the next three batters.
The Lady Tarpons started the bottom of the second inning with a walk by Andrea Garcia. Mata then reached base on a bunt and advanced to second on a throwing error. The next two PI batters popped out. In a rare move, the Gators intentionally walked Marchan, setting up a bases loaded situation for Puente. On the first pitch, Puente hit the ball down the third base line for a single with two RBIs. Villarreal then hit the ball to rightfield for a single with an RBI as the Lady Tarpons took a 5-0 lead. A third out was called on baserunning error.
In the top of the third inning, Marchan struck out the first two batters. The next batter was then walked on balls. The following batter was struck out by Marchan as she continued to hold the Lady Gators scoreless.
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