By Kyle Lehnick

On a perfect night for softball, the Lehman Lady Lobos struck out eight times and only managed one run on five hits in a 12-1 loss to the Austin Maroons Tuesday. 

Austin High pitcher Vanessa Castro brought the heat to the circle, throwing a complete game and allowing only three hits through six innings. Castro faced 26 batters while Lehman’s pitching staff faced a total of 40 batters. 

The score was tight through the first six innings. Austin High had a short scoring spurt in the second inning with an inside the park homerun followed up by a base hit and two doubles. The three run rally was ended by a brilliant diving catch from Lehman right fielder Bianca Martinez. 

Good fielding from both teams kept the game locked at 3-0 until the seventh inning. 

Lehman catcher Kynslee Noriega’s skills behind the plate kept Austin base runners honest. Noriega highlighted her night by whipping a throw to catch a runner who was too far off first base in the fifth inning. 

Despite Noriega’s defensive efforts, the Lobos couldn’t get any hits against the fast throwing ace from Austin. 

Austin High gained separation in the seventh inning. The Maroons led off with two base hits that were brought home by a triple from Mikayla Dominguez.  

Kaylee Wipff was brought in for relief but allowed three consecutive walks. A few more Austin hits made it a nine run inning and left a mountain for Lehman to climb in the seventh inning. 

Martinez earned a hit to start a two-out rally. After a Lauren Pizzini walk, Mikayla Cruz brought Martinez home with a single before Austin closed the game. 

Lehman closes the regular season this Friday on the road at Westlake.