MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Lady Greyhounds are on a roll this season largely due to their well-rounded squad, and it showed in their latest outing.
Fueled by a pair of three-run homers by Erica Cortez and Sarah Garcia, the Lady ‘Hounds cruised to a 11-1, five-inning win over the Harlingen Lady Cardinals Friday night at Lady Cards Field.
The bats weren’t hot for everyone, as San Benito (16-0, 3-0) recorded just five fits, but alert base running and plays on defense helped make it an early night.
“Everybody is playing their role as well as understanding their role,” said first-year San Benito head coach Kristy Leal. “We’re playing team softball really. It’s selfless, solid softball. The team is producing at the plate and defensively we’re playing really well.
“These kids are hungry and they play every team like they’re playing the best team in Texas. We want to keep enforcing that and getting those Ws.”
The Lady ‘Hounds looked just a step quicker running the bases, but errant throws and fielding miscues by the Lady Cards (1-2 in district play) allowed San Benito runners to stay on base.
On the night, the Cards had five errors, which led to four runs for the Lady ’Hounds.
Still, Harlingen head coach Cassandra Hernandez feels her team can clean up and bounce back.
“I’m not disappointed. I think San Benito is an awesome team and we were excited to face them, but what killed us were the errors,” Hernandez said. “I tell the girls that every single day is a learning process. We learn from our mistakes and it’s whether we push and push and push is what is going to make us better— it’ll eventually fall into place.”
In the top of the first inning with two on and one out, Cortez blasted a three-run homer into deep left field to put the Lady hounds up 3-0.
Harlingen scored its only run in the bottom of the second after Brianna Garza came in after Mikayla Cabriales reached first on a San Benito error.
Leading 4-1 in the top of the fourth, San Benito’s Kim Harper reached first on a fielder’s choice after Megan Ibarra was thrown out at third.
However, an errant throw to second base by Harlingen brought in Sarah Garcia and Harper, giving the Lady ‘Hounds a 6-1 lead.
Garcia finished the night with a three-run shot of her own to left field, giving the Lady Hounds an 11-1 lead.