By Kyle Lehnick
The grass was green everywhere except the infield, and the Hays softball team had no problem finding the green.
As hits flew off of the aluminum bats of both teams, Hays took advantage of its base runners and earned a 17-9 win at the Lehman Athletic Complex.
The action started in the top of the second inning for Hays. Alyssa Martinez singled to left field; Aspen Salazar followed that up with a bunt and wound up on second base due to an overthrown attempt to force the out at first by the Lehman catcher.
Hays junior Karina Rocha brought home her teammates with a double and the runs snowballed to seven by the end of the fourth inning.
Lehman managed to bring three runners home in the third inning due to solid hitting from the top of the lineup. Every Lehman starter at least scored or earned an RBI.
Hays attempted to run-rule the Lady Lobos in the fifth inning. The Lady Rebels’ first six batters crossed home plate and brought the lead to ten runs. Lehman wouldn’t go down easy though.
Trailing 13-3 with the top of the lineup on deck, Lehman earned one base hit after another with an occasional walks in-between. After scoring five runs in the fifth, Lehman avoided an early exit from the field and narrowed the Lady Rebels lead to a manageable five runs.
In the final inning, Hays brought in four runs thanks in part to triples by Lind and Salazar. Faced with a nine run deficit, Lehman manufactured one last rally.
Mikayla Cruz brought Gabby Martinez home on a double but was then caught stealing third. The bottom of the lineup failed to produce more hits and Clarissa Reyos flew out to left field to end the game.
The Lady Rebels are now 8-3 in district play, only trailing Bowie and Lake Travis in the standings. With less than a month left in district play, Hays is looking to secure a playoff spot before season’s end.
Their next few games could provide easy wins as they face teams at the bottom of the 6A district 14 standings. The Lady Rebels will travel to play at Austin High at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
