It was a game that featured no shortage of runs from either side.
San Angelo Central, however, would go on to survive, taking a 15-10 win over Odessa High in District 2-6A play Tuesday at Ratliff Softball Complex.
“It’s not the kind of game you go in expecting but it was nice to get a win, no matter how it comes,” San Angelo Central head coach David Millsap said. “They hit the ball well and we hit the ball well and we came out on top in the end.”
For the Lady Cats, it was their first win in district play this season as the team moved to 16-7 overall, 1-1 in District 2-6A.
Odessa High fell to 5-14, 0-2.
“I think we came out with a lot of fight and a lot of energy,’ Odessa High head coach Elsa Cocker said. “We knew it was going to be a tough battle going up against Central. We played them tough last year in both games. We knew it was going to be competitive. We just had to buckle down and we did well at the plate. Unfortunately, we couldn’t put it away but I think we still did a good job with momentum and tempo and fighting for each pitch.”
San Angelo Central’s pitcher Sofia Rudolph pitched the entire game and had two home runs.
“She struggled a little bit with her command, probably more-so than what she’s used to,” Millsap said. “The home runs are common. She’s leading our team in home runs.”
The Lady Cats began the game on a strong note, taking a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
A three-run home run by Rudolph gave the visitors an early 3-0 lead before Makenna McMillen added a single-run homer just shortly after.
However, the Lady Bronchos responded in a big way, scoring five runs in the bottom half of the first inning to quickly take the lead.
Odessa High’s surge began with a run by Mya Mayberry off a single by Amberly Madrid to put the Lady Bronchos on the board.
It was a two-RBI double from Kelsie Salcido that made it a one-run game.
Odessa High wasn’t finished as the Lady Bronchos scored two more runs before the end of the inning to take a 5-4 lead.
The Lady Bronchos extended their lead with a homer by Tatianna Deliz to make it 6-4 in the bottom of the second inning.
“It just says that we’re hungry and we’re not going to give up,” Cocker said. “It’s okay if you go up on us a little bit because we’re going to come back and score runs. That’s what we do. We always come back and make plays.”
San Angelo Central got two runs back with a two-run home run by Rudolph to tie the game up in the top of the third inning.
McMillen also added her second home run of the night at the next at-bat, giving the Lady Cats a 7-6 advantage.
A double by Jazmin Lara scored Madrid to tie the game up in the bottom of the third.
A single by Rudolph scored her teammate Greyson Collins to put the Lady Cats back in front in the top of the fourth.
Deliz’s run in the bottom of the fourth tied the game up at 8-8.
However, San Angelo Central used a five-run inning to build its largest lead of the night.
A two-RBI double by Emma Wilson scored Tori Robertson and Alexis Bakurza to make it 10-8 for San Angelo Central in the top half of the fifth inning.
Odessa High’s Mariah Robinson then took over in the circle, replacing starting pitcher Gabriella Salinas with no outs and a San Angelo Central runner on third.
Veronica Castro’s sacrifice brought home Wilson to give the Lady Cats an 11-8 lead.
San Angelo Central then loaded the bases with one out as McMillen went up to bat in the fifth.
She would go on to score her teammates Collins and Carli Haby on a two-RBI double to make it 13-8.
Kelsie Salcido scored to bring the Lady Bronchos back a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Odessa High added another run before the end of the inning.
The Lady Bronchos held the Lady Cats to a scoreless frame in the top of the sixth inning.
OHS responded by adding runners on base with one out in the bottom half of the sixth.
However, the Lady Cats’ outfield grabbed two more crucial outs to end the inning and keep a three-run advantage heading into the seventh.
San Angelo Central loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh.
A sacrifice by K.K. Saldivar scored Haby to make it 14-10.
A sacrificial bunt by Bakurza scored another San Angelo Central runner for a five-run advantage.
The Lady Bronchos’ deficit would be too much to overcome and the Lady Cats snatched their first district win.
Odessa High will next face Midland High at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Midland while San Angelo Central will host Midland Legacy at 6:30 p.m. that same day.
“It’s really crucial,” Millsap said of Tuesday’s win. “District 2-6A is not an easy district. Everybody pitches well and swings the bat well. We have to grab wins wherever they come. We have Midland Legacy on Friday and they’re playing much better. Then we have Frenship and then we’re back here against Permian. Every win is going to be important.”
