Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Belen softball minors fall in first round, but not without a fight

Duane Barbati News-Bulletin Staff Writer; dbarbati@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas Belen girls Little League Minors softball couldn't hold back Westgate in the first round of the Little League District 9 tournament at the Enchantment fields on Monday. The Majors lost 10-8 in seven innings to Westgate.

Belen held a 7-3 lead over Westgate until the sixth inning, as the Eagles scored five runs in the fifth inning and one run in the third.

The Eagles gained the lead early in the game when Westgate's pitching fell apart, scoring a one run in the first inning and adding five in the second.

"Westgate is the best team in the district," said Belen coach Dave Castillo about the loss. "We proved that we could play with the best. These girls worked hard all season long to get here."

Westgate's pitching fell apart when Kaleigh Lopez and Maquela Vigil walked then Sierra Aroz singled to score Lopez. Angel Baca singled to bring in Vigil. A pitch to load the bases hit Elisha Sowash. A hit to the shortstop by Kelly Gurule brought Aroz in to score, but Gurule was the second out of the inning. Virginia Gonzales walked to load the bases again.

Sowash would score the final run of the inning for Belen on a passed ball. Westgate got out of the inning after Lopez grounded out. The Eagles would score once more in the third inning off of Sowash's double and in the seventh after Johnson stole second base then third and scored on a passed ball.

In the sixth inning, Belen's momentum faded. The Majors did start the inning off with Aroz stricking out Westgate's leadoff batter, but a shortstop error and an infield hit was misplayed. Three walked batters tied the game 7-7.

Belen's defensive plays of tagging out runners out at second and third ended the sixth and sent the game into extra innings.

"They gained momentum after the sixth inning," said Castillo. "We had our heads down. I am proud of these girls."

Westgate pulled ahead in the seventh inning by scoring three runs when a pitch hit Danielle Kelin and Mariah Lujan walked, and Vanessa Gamboa and Jamie Grajeda had back-to-back hits to left field. Kelin scored on Grajeda's hit and Lugan scored when Heidi Monge walked. A throwing error put Mariah Esquibel on first base and scored Grajeda.

Reliever Sowash, who started the seventh inning, struck out two batters and forced one batter to fly out to the first baseman to end the game.

Belen had scored one run in the first inning when Aroz walked, Baca singled and Sowash doubled.

Westgate loaded the bases in the top of the second inning after batters Marissa Salas and Mariah Esquibel both walked then Heidi Monge singled. The Majors walked the next Westgate batter Danielle Keslin.

Baserunner Esquibel would score on a passed ball. Belen got out of the inning after Aroz struck out two batters, and she caught an infield fly ball for the final out.

The Majors went into the bottom of the second inning trailing Westgate 2-1.

Belen is scheduled to play again at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The loser of the 9 a.m. Saturday game will be the Majors' opponent.

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