FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Friday night’s contest between the Harlingen Lady Cardinals and the San Benito Lady Greyhounds ended early after lightning brightened the dark sky.
A few minutes after calling a 30 minute delay, both coaches decided they had seen enough lightning to call it a game after four innings of play, resulting in 4-1 victory for the Lady ‘Hounds at the Lady Cardinals’ KEYS field.
“I was a great game going into it,” said San Benito head coach Elias Martinez. “They hit the ball well, we hit the ball well. There was great pitching on both sides unfortunately we had to stop it because of the lightning and for the safety of the kids.
“Fortunately for us, we were ahead and we get the win. Unfortunately, the girls don’t get to play. Both coach (Lance) White and I are disappointed but safety comes first.”
In the bottom of the first with two outs on the board, Harlingen catcher Kim Martinez ripped a ball beyond the left field wall to give the Lady Cards a 1-0 lead. The team waited by home plate as Martinez strolled through the bases with a smile.
However the lead was short-lived. In the top of the second, with bases loaded, San Benito’s Destiny Hernandez blasted a ball just short of Harlingen’s right fielder for an RBI single, tying the score at one a piece.
Shortly afterward San Benito’s lead-off hitter Kimberley Harper picked up her own RBI single by bringing in pinch runner Kim McCommas. The run put the Lady ‘Hounds in the lead with runners on second and third.
The next batter up, Melanie Gonzalez, sacrificed to deep left field bringing in teammate Ja’vana Gonzalez, while an error brought in San Benito’ Hernandez for the fourth run.
Ace pitcher Crystal Castillo had another phenomenal night giving up two hits and acquiring 10 strikeouts after four innings.