Stallions get split in tourney
Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune
Madera South’s Makenna Nevarez doubles in three runs during a 14-0 victory over Mendota in the Stallions Showdown on Saturday.
The Madera South Stallions softball team earned a split on the final day of the Stallions Showdown softball tournament, but it wasn’t enough to advance to the championship game.
The Stallions entered Saturday with a 2-0 record, but a 3-1 loss to Golden West-Visalia kept the Stallions out of the championship game even after a 14-0 victory over Exeter in the second game.
“I saw the small improvements,” head coach Peter Gallegos said. “There’s things we have to improve. We are going to be facing tough teams in the league. We want to make sure we’re ready. We’re still waiting for a couple of our horses to come in. I like this opportunity to give our youngsters a taste of being in a big role.”
Golden West 3, Madera South 1
After both teams scored a run in the first inning, the Trail Blazers scored a run in the second and sixth innings to record the victory.
A.J. Martinez suffered the loss in the circle. She allowed six hits, but two home runs proved to be the margin of victory for Golden West.
“We see this tournament as a small improvement to the ultimate goal,” Gallegos said.
Savaanah Garcia led off the game with a bunt single. After a strikeout, Garcia stole second and scored on Jessie Maciel’s double to centerfield for the early 1-0 lead.
The Trail Blazers used three straight singles to tie the score in the bottom of the first.
With one out in the second, Golden West lined a ball down the right field line. The ball got past the Madera South right fielder and rolled to the fence. The batter ran around the bases for an inside-the-park home run and a 2-1 lead.
Madera South had its chances to score with two runners on in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth and two in the sixth and seventh innings.
The Stallions had their best chance in the fourth. With one out, Makenna Nevarez reached on an error. Esmeralda Moreno forced her at second. Maria Leal was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second.
Garcia hit a slow roller to second and beat out the throw to first. Moreno rounded third and was waved home, but ran into the tag at the plate.
The Stallions left 10 runners on base in the game.
Martinez made one mistake in the game and Golden West’s Angel Geston made her pay with a solo home run over the left field fence for a 3-1 Golden West lead.
Madera South put its first two runners on base in the seventh, but the next three batters were retired in order to end the game.
Madera South 14, Mendota 0
The Stallions made quick work of the Aztec with two runs in the first, four runs in the second, seven in the third and one in fourth for a 14-0 victory to end the Stallions Showdown.
Freshman Taylor Valerio struck out three batters and scattered four hits over five innings. “She can move the ball pretty good,” Gallegos said. “She will be a factor for us.”
Maria Leal, Martinez and Makenna Nevarez led the Stallions with three hits each. Leal scored three runs and drove in three. Nevarez drove in a team-high five runs. And Martinez scored three runs. “We did okay in the tournament,” Gallegos said. “We always like to compete and play Stallions softball. This is an awesome tournament. I have great help from the parents.”
The Stallions scored two runs in the second off singles from Garcia and Leal and RBIs by Valerio and Nevarez.
A hit batter, single and a bunt loaded the bases in the second inning. Garcia drove in a run with a groundout. Leal reached on an error and Martinez came in to score.
With Valerio at the plate, Lupita Nambo scored on a wild pitch. Nevares then singled home Leal for a 6-0 lead.
In the third, Leal hit a two-run single, Valero drove in a run with a bases loaded walk and Nevarez cleared the bases with a double to left-center for a 13-0 lead.
The Stallions added a run in the fourth on a Martinez single, Nambo sacrifice, Garcia groundout and a Leal single for a 14-0 lead.
After retiring the first seven batters in order, Valerio had a little trouble getting out of the fifth. She allowed two hits to open the inning, but got a popout and two forceouts to end the game.
