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SDN Photo/Larry McCarty Snyder catcher Jasmine Montoya tags a Wylie runner at the plate during Tuesday’s 13-6 loss.
By Larry McCarty
SDN Sports Editor
Wylie forced Snyder to play catch-up from the beginning in a District 5-4A softball game at Cates Field Tuesday.
The Lady Bulldogs built an 8-0 lead through three innings en route to a 13-6 win.
A lightning strike suspended play at 6:45 p.m. after Snyder scored five runs in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 11-6. A thundershower delayed the game 90 minutes.
Snyder head coach Liz Kimbell credited her players for keeping their focus in the fifth inning.
“We finally got our timing and bats going,” Kimbell said. “They did a better job of focusing on what we needed to do. We did a better job of taking advantage of our opportunities.”
Wylie scored one run in the first, six in the second and one in third to build the early lead.
Hailey Morris hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 8-1.
After the Lady Bulldogs increased the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth, Claudia Gutierrez hit a 3-run home run to highlight the 5-run fifth inning. Jasmine Montoya hit a 2-run home run later in the inning.
Kimball said the emphasis during the rain delay was to keep the players safe.
“We told them to go to their cars, relax and wait,” Kimbell said. “They came back recharged and ready to play. The ball just didn’t bounce our way for most of the game.”
The Lady Tigers (13-12, 0-2) will play at Sweetwater, which lost to Big Spring 9-3, at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We need a win at Sweetwater,” Kimbell said. “We will keep focusing on our defense. We have been working hard on defense.”
Wylie 161 030 2—13 14 0
Snyder 000 150 0—6 8 4
Snyder hitters — Jasmine Montoya 2 singles, home run, 2 RBIs; Hailey Morris single, home run, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base; Claudia Gutierrez home run, 3 RBIs; Alyssa Benitez single; Abby Yelvington single; Nicole Clark 1 stolen base.
Snyder pitchers — Hailey Morris 9 hits, 8 runs, 3 earned runs, 2 walks in 4 innings; Claudia Gutierrez 5 hits, 5 runs, 5 earned runs, 1 walk in 3 innings.