Buchanan drops Madera in the rain

Playing through the rain is never easy and playing against the Tri-River Athletic Conference’s Buchanan-Clovis Bears makes it harder.

The Coyotes’ pitcher couldn’t find the strike zone and the Bears defeated the Coyotes 8-1 in a game shortened to five innings because of rain Tuesday at Zimmerman Field.

Kaylee Dawson suffered the loss in the circle. She tossed five innings and allowed six of the eight runs, but just three were earned. She also walked four batters. Felicity Rocha walked two batters and allowed a hit. Freshman Kaylee Patlan walked both batters she faced during the third inning when all three pitchers made an appearance.

Madera’s offense was limited to just three hits by Buchanan’s Molly Millar. Taylor Brooks. Tayah Hernandez and Valerie Ornelas had the hits for the Coyotes.

Madera also had trouble fielding in the rain, committing four errors, which led to four unearned runs. With one out in the second, Buchanan got a single and three straight doubles from its No. 8, No. 9 and lead off batter to drive in three runs.

After getting two runners on in the first, the Coyotes started the second with their lead-off runner getting on base. Camile DeAnda reached on an error. Sofia Perez sacrificed her to second.

Dawson hit a grounder to short. The Buchanan shortstop tried to force out DeAnda at third, but the throw went wide. DeAnda came in to score while Dawson advanced to second. After a strikeout, Brooks walked, but the next batter was called for hitting out of the box to end the inning.

Buchanan greeted Rocha in the third with a double and a pair of walks before Patlan came in relief. Patlan walked two batters to force in another run and a throwing error plated another. Dawson came back into the game and got a force out at the plate and a flyout to right to end the inning.

Buchanan added three more runs in the fifth with a two out, nobody on rally. An error and two walks loaded the bases.

A Buchanan single plated a pair of runs and a third scored on a wild pitch for an 8-1 lead with the rain falling harder.

The Coyotes had chances to drive in runs, but couldn’t score more than one. They left nine runners on base, including six runners in scoring position.

Madera left a pair of runners on base in the fourth and fifth innings.