Coyotes get big league win
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera’s Camile DeAnda reaches down to send a pitch over the centerfielder’s head for a one-out double to kick start a three-run third inning Friday in a victory over Edison.
After getting outscored 18-0 in its first two games of the County/Metro Athletic Conference, the Madera Coyotes softball team needed to rebound in a hurry.
They picked up loads of confidence with a huge 31-2 victory over San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno on Tuesday. Madera followed that with a 3-0 victory over Edison-Fresno Friday at Zimmerman Field.
“The kids ran very aggressive and put the ball in play,” head coach Judy Shaubach said. “We had a game where we could just have fun on Tuesday. It reminded them that we play our best all when we have fun and are playing relaxed. We have to take our eyes off the scoreboard and worry about playing and respecting the game.”
The Coyotes carried that confidence into Friday’s game and did just enough to even their CMAC record to 2-2.
Pitcher Kaylee Dawson held Edison to just two hits in a complete game shutout. He struck out five and allowed just one runner to reach second.
“Kaylee really put a lot of focus and mental effort in this game,” Shaubach said.
Dawson threw just 73 pitches in the victory and threw first pitch strikes to 18 of the 24 batters she faced. Edison put the ball in play on the first pitch eight times and were retired all eight times.
“Coach (Alan) Revilla did a great job with the kids reminding them this game is supposed to be fun,” Shaubach said. “If you’re going to make a mistake, do it a full speed and get over it real quick.”
The Coyotes were limited to five hits, but came up clutch during a three-run third inning. Tayah Hernandez led the Coyotes with two hits, including a double to go with an RBI.
“I thought the kids came out on a mission,” Shaubach said on a day the team honored Coyote softball alumni players and high school staff. “We did some really good things at the plate with our adjustments. Mostly, the game was about our attitude. We got right. I felt that was reflective in our game performance today. It was nice to see all the alumni and staff. It was nice to put on a performance for them today.”
Dawson pitched, probably, her best game as a Coyotes. She retired the first 11 batters in a row and didn’t allow a hit until the lead off batter in the fifth, which was quickly erased on a double play. She allowed another hit with two outs in the seventh inning.
The Coyotes put two runners on in the first and had a runner throwm out at the plate in the fifth, but did all their damage in the third.
With one out, Camile DeAnda doubled over the centerfielder’s head. Hernandez followed with a double to left-center to drive in DeAnda. Valerie Ornelas followed with a single in the same spot and Hernandez came in to score.
Hollee Brown reached on an error to put runners at first and second. Davis reached on an infield single and pinch-runner Mikayla Arrieta scored all the way from second base for the third run of the inning.
After a change in pitchers, Sofia Perez drew a walk to load the bases. Gennahlyn Sanchez tried to give the Coyotes more insurance runs, but a leaping grab by shortstop Kayla Bowen on her line drive ended the inning.
