Late plate lifts Mustangs

 

The improvement is noticeable and it’s happening gradually.

The latest example? Mullen got past visiting Grandview 9-8 on Thursday in the Centennial League at Santo “Doc” Scavuzzo Field.

In moving to 3-6 overall, 3-5 in league, the Mustangs battled some season-long demons and displayed some firepower, defense and execution.

In all, it was a mix of traits with contributions throughout the lineup as well as further proof that they can compete with a lot of in-state teams.

Certainly, coach Dave Atencio realizes his team needs additional work, blew a 6-0 lead and had to plate a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to win it, but he likes much of what he sees.

“We make it hard,” the coach said in shaking his head. “Well, again, we had a six-run lead and (the Wolves) chipped away … give credit to Grandview, but in the sixth, when we needed that run, we got it. We scored nine runs and that’s a lot of runs.”

Mullen, which lost earlier to the Wolves 2-1 in eight innings, scored eight times over the second, third and fourth innings, off a double by Joliana Encinias, two singles by Elizabeth Brady – she was 4-for-4 with 3 runs scored –two by Lucia Hurtado, safeties by Bella Aragon, Madelyn Bertsch, Morgan Margeson and Romie Gutierrez, and a handful of wild pitches and an error by the pitcher.

However, the Wolves had their own surge, plating eight runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth.

“I think we get a little tense in the field when (the opposition) gets runs or when we’re ahead we lose focus,” Brady said.

But she led off the bottom of the sixth with a single, got to second base on an error, moved to third on a sacrifice and scored the game-winner on a fielder’s choice.

Margeson, who retired the first nine Wolves she faced, turned in a fourth 1-2-3 inning, in the seventh to seal it. It was aided by a sharp double play by Maggie Bertsch, who moved over from third base to start at shortstop.

“Maggie’s our best defensive infielder,” Atencio said. “She’s an athlete, she has been playing this game a long time and she’s a quick learner.”

Said Brady: “I think we’re getting better.”

Mullen will have four games next week, beginning with Monday’s home game against Class 5A power Smoky Hill (4 p.m.).

Thursday’s game also began with what Atencio called the “Community Appreciation Day,” as the Mustangs invited “mentors, somebody who means the world to each individual player, and awarded them with a game ball and their name and a Biblical scripture or verse.”

 

Grandview  --  Allen 2b-3b 3-1-2-2, Herting 1b-p 4-0-0-0, Valle dp-2b 3-2-1-2, Walker 3b-1b 4-0-1-1, Ferrier rf 4-0-1-2, Robinson ss 3-0-1-0, Weiland c 3-1-0-0, Cacciavillani lf 3-2-2-0, Michels rf 2-2-1-0, Miller p 0-0-0-0. Totals  20-8-9-7.

Mullen  --  Aragon cf 4-1-3-0, Mad. Bertsch rf 3-0-1-2, Panozzo c 3-0-1-0, Simms cr 0-1-0-0, Brady 2b 4-3-4-0, Hurtado 1b 4-1-2-1, Margeson p 3-0-1-0, Gutierrez 3b 4-0-1-1, Mag. Bertsch ss 2-1-1-1, Encinias dp 4-0-1-1, Walters lf 0-0-0-0. Totals 31-9-15-6.

E – Miller, Hurtado, Valle. DP – Grandview, Mullen. SAC – Mad. Bertsch, Mag. Bertsch, Margeson. SB – Aragon, Michels. LOB – Grandview 3, Mullen 9.

2B – Ferrier, Panozzo, Mag. Bertsch.

Batteries – Miller, Herting (4) and Weiland; Margeson and Panozzo. W – Margeson. L – Herting. WP – Miller 4. HBP – Mag. Bertsch (by Miller). SF – Allen. T – 1:45.   .