Softball Team Struggles Against Laguna

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

SOCORRO -- The Socorro softball team was swept in a home doubleheader 8-5 and 13-10 by the Laguna Lady Hawks on March 25, dropping its record to 7-6
In the first game, Socorro jumped on Laguna in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead. Gina Rico and Maureen Trujillo both hit two-run singles.
Laguna (5-5) came back in the third inning to take the lead 5-4. Pitcher Maureen Trujillo finally finished the inning with three straight groundouts.
In the fifth, Socorro tied it with a two-out double by Brittany McDaniel, who scored on a double by Rico.
Laguna scored the go-ahead run in the sixth on an unearned run. The Hawks added on two more runs in the seventh for the final 8-5 margin.
“It was very disappointing,” Socorro coach Gary Apodaca said. “Defensively and offensively, we couldn't do anything. It's like we reverted back to a team with no experience. It was a disappointing game all around.”

In the nightcap, Laguna scored five runs in the first inning. Four of the five runs scored were unearned on two Socorro throwing errors.
The Lady Warriors got one back in the first on a triple by Trujillo and a sacrifice fly by Vanessa Jojola. Laguna scored two more runs in the second on a home run for a 7-1 lead.
Socorro's bats came to life in the third and tied the game at seven. Kristen Gonzales and Courtney Edmister both hit doubles early in the inning to help score three runs. Rico hit a line drive into right, which the fielder dropped for two unearned runs. Chantilly Gallegos tied the game with a single and scoring the run from second.
Both teams battled back and forth the rest of the way. Socorro took a 9-7 lead in the fifth on singles by Amberli Benavidez, Gallegos, and Trujillo.
Laguna tied the game in the seventh on a single and two doubles. In the bottom of the inning, Socorro had a player on second base with one out and a chance to win, but she was thrown out stealing at third.
Both teams held steady in extra innings. Trujillo's pitching seemed to get stronger as the game wore on.
Socorro's defense and pitching tired in the 11th inning. Laguna scored on three consecutive singles and took a 10-9 lead. They scored three more runs on another single and a double over the head of the left fielder.
McDaniel and Rico were able to get on to start the bottom of the 11th and hoping for a comeback. Benavidez singled down the left field line to bring in the runner from second. The other runner was thrown out trying to reach third for the second out.
Socorro threatened with bases loaded, but a fly out to left ended the game.
“We played one inning that was really good,” Apodaca said. “ We had good defense and hit the ball well and got seven runs in one inning. We couldn't do much after that. ”
Socorro traveled to Estancia on Monday and won 16-9.

Picture: The Socorro softball team discusses strategy after losing the first game of a doubleheader against Laguna-Acoma last week.

Photo by John Severance

Softball Team Struggles Against Laguna