By Moses Leos III
Having fallen by a lone run to the Del Valle Cardinals last month, the Lehman Lady Lobos sought to return the favor Friday at Del Valle.
An eight run salvo over a two inning stretch was enough that the Lady Lobos cruised to an 8-3 road win.
“We did what we needed to do,” Lehman Lady Lobos head coach Kita Adams said. “Everything came together … which is what we’ve been learning.”
Lady Lobo pitcher Karina Reta earned the win, striking out one Del Valle batter over seven innings of work.
On the offensive end, junior catcher Kynslee Noriega led the way with three RBIs. Two of those were a result of a two run homerun against the Cardinals.
Joining Noriega were Angel Cruz and Clarissa Rayos who each tallied a single. Lehman High’s Gaby Martinez earned two hits in the game.
But it was Del Valle that jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Lehman responded by putting the game away in the second and third frames.
The Lady Lobo offense exploded for a four run second inning; they added another four runs in the third. It was highlighted by Noriega’s two run homerun in the second inning.
Del Valle added an inconsequential run in the sixth inning.
While offense carried the Lady Lobos, defense played a primary role. While the defense has made some changes, Adams said they are continuing to come together.
They rally around Reta, who Adams said is capable of keeping teams off balance. Helping her is Noriega, who Adams said has “a presence behind the plate” as she builds her leadership skills.
Also assisting were Cruz and Bianca Martinez, who moved to right field on Friday.
“Her presence and being in right field was huge for us,” Adams said.
The focus now turns to the Lady Lobos’ final three games of the year. It starts with the Lobos on the road at Anderson on Friday, followed by senior night on Tuesday.
While the playoffs may not be on the horizon, Adams said the Lady Lobos are “confident and hungry” in their fight to the finish.
“We’re not going to make the playoffs. But we are in a good spot to finish strong and to let everyone know our record doesn’t reflect our team,” she said.
