The Lady Mustangs showed just what they can do this past Tuesday when they scored 7 runs against Godinez High School. Although those seven runs weren’t enough to win the game against the Grizzlies 11 runs, this was the second best game the softball players have had so far. Coach JP Hamilton commented on the change in the girls’ effort and overall performance saying, “Welcome to the game ladies.”
The beginning of the game started off as many of the Lady Mustangs games have, with errors and a lack of completely making the necessary plays to step ahead and get runs or complete outs. When the fifth inning came along, however, the Mustangs pulled through with back to back outs, base hits and about two-thirds of their total runs until the last inning.
The beginning of the game started off as many of the Lady Mustangs games have, with errors and a lack of completely making the necessary plays to step ahead and get runs or complete outs. When the fifth inning came along, however, the Mustangs pulled through with back to back outs, base hits and about two-thirds of their total runs until the last inning.
Pitcher Niki Delgado(#6) had on a face mask for protection, which is demanded by league and was off and on with her pitches. Just as the rest of the team in the first few innings, she couldn’t get the Godinez girls out, with about four walks in one inning. Towards the end, however, she lifted up her hand and threw power pitches, battling the game put until the end with about six strikes total.
Many players were also injured at this game with Alofa Skipps, catcher(#24) and Niki Delgado going in with a few, as well as Dulce Gomez(#5) getting hit by the Godinez pitcher for a walk. Skipps, due to her constant bent stance and coverage of the ball, said she experienced creaking in her knees and needed to ice not only her arm from a fastball, but also two of her fingers due to a tricky catch attempt. Niki Delgado also was experiencing pain, usual for her position, in her arms and back. “My doctor said that I pitch too much, which is why during practice I don’t really do any pitching, just batting.”
This game was the result of the players not only evaluating how they played and doing better, but playing the game with confidence and not worrying too much about losing or winning. “Our best game was probably Oxford Academy [in which Mesa battled with their first double play and an ending score of 7 to 8, shy by one point] but they’re coming around. They’re playing with confidence, playing aggressive, playing like they expect to make plays.”
Nisha Degante (3rd base) commented on how important this game was for her. “Last practice the coaches told us that they would be moving us around to different positions. I would be moving from third to left, but this changed my mind, I needed to prove to them I can still be third [basemen]. This made me realize I can get replaced really easily; I got to try my hardest. I had to prove they can still count on me, I got it!”
Coach Hamilton ended the game as always with an overview of what went well and what could be better, this time sounding a bit different due to the change in the ladies' performance and attitude in the game. “You have to realize you deserve to be here and play at this level. We had three great innings of softball, that’s what we see at practice every day. You need that confidence. Show up with pride.”
Many players were also injured at this game with Alofa Skipps, catcher(#24) and Niki Delgado going in with a few, as well as Dulce Gomez(#5) getting hit by the Godinez pitcher for a walk. Skipps, due to her constant bent stance and coverage of the ball, said she experienced creaking in her knees and needed to ice not only her arm from a fastball, but also two of her fingers due to a tricky catch attempt. Niki Delgado also was experiencing pain, usual for her position, in her arms and back. “My doctor said that I pitch too much, which is why during practice I don’t really do any pitching, just batting.”
This game was the result of the players not only evaluating how they played and doing better, but playing the game with confidence and not worrying too much about losing or winning. “Our best game was probably Oxford Academy [in which Mesa battled with their first double play and an ending score of 7 to 8, shy by one point] but they’re coming around. They’re playing with confidence, playing aggressive, playing like they expect to make plays.”
Nisha Degante (3rd base) commented on how important this game was for her. “Last practice the coaches told us that they would be moving us around to different positions. I would be moving from third to left, but this changed my mind, I needed to prove to them I can still be third [basemen]. This made me realize I can get replaced really easily; I got to try my hardest. I had to prove they can still count on me, I got it!”
Coach Hamilton ended the game as always with an overview of what went well and what could be better, this time sounding a bit different due to the change in the ladies' performance and attitude in the game. “You have to realize you deserve to be here and play at this level. We had three great innings of softball, that’s what we see at practice every day. You need that confidence. Show up with pride.”
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