Coyotes drop second straight in league
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera lead-off batter Shane Pursell lays down a drag bunt during Friday’s narrow loss to the Bullard Knights in Mel Parker Field.
The Madera Coyotes baseball team is looking to fix some in-house issues after a slow start to the season. The Coyotes dropped to 1-2 in league after losing 3-2 against Bullard-Fresno
It was the second straight 3-2 loss for the Coyotes, who came up short against Sanger in the previous game.
Madera coach Andy Underwood said the team has to execute better and come together as a group after Friday’s loss in Mel Parker Field.
“There is some me stuff going on right now,” Underwood said. “There are guys on the team who are worried about me right now instead of us.”
The Coyotes gave up two runs in the first inning and allowed another score in the fifth, falling behind 3-0 . In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kristian Gomez brought in the first run of the game for the Coyotes.
Aaron’s Benavidez’s single in the sixth inning helped the Coyotes bring in another run. But the Coyotes didn’t have any more answers after that.
Underwood hopes to see more leadership as the team looks to shake off the slow start.
“Somebody needs to step up and hold people accountable,” Underwood said. “We need a senior that can step up and do that for us.”
Underwood adds that the execution on the field needs to get better.
“We are pitching well. We are playing good defense,” Underwood said. “Offensively, we are just not executing. We’re not getting bunts down when we need them down, we are missing some signs here and there, just running bases incorrectly. There are a lot of things we need to get better at.”
Madera pitcher Nikayha Castro struck out four batters against Bullard and also recorded a single. Bullard’s Niko Rangel recorded four strikeouts and allowed nine hits in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
The Coyotes will look to solve some issues and get on track when they hosted San Joaquin Memorial on Tuesday. Underwood said he is still hopeful and looking forward to working with his team to fix the issues.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s why I coach,” Underwood said. “We’re trying to make these young men better people. We will get there.”
