BY KEVIN NARRO | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
MCALLEN — Entering the 2017 season, McAllen Memorial had a mix of underclassmen and veterans returning to the club. The key ingredient was the team chemistry. That chemistry flourished on Tuesday night, as McAllen Memorial continued its surge through District 30-6A with an 11-3 win against sister school McAllen Rowe.
The Lady Mustangs wrapped up the first round of district play with a perfect 6-0 mark, and a 12-9 record overall.
“We knew the chemistry was going to be very important for this team,” Memorial coach Audra Benavidez said. “I don’t think the girls realized coming into this year it was going to be half veterans and half underclassmen. Our veterans knew they would have to step up and lead the way. We had some position changes early in the year, and it took us a couple of games to get the chemistry going on the field. After the Laredo tournament, our girls got closer with the camaraderie on and off the field. Not only was the team beginning to jell, the girls began to gain confidence in each other.”
McAllen Memorial’s offense has scored 67 runs through its first six district games — a pace of 11 runs per game. The Lady Mustangs have a combination of speed and power throughout the order.
Senior second basemen and four-year letterman Megan Segree helped McAllen Memorial’s offense with a 4-for-5 night at the plate, with two runs and an RBI. The Lady Mustangs racked up 11 runs on 16 hits.
Junior hurler Daisy Gonzalez went the distance, allowing three runs — two unearned — while scattering four hits with 10 strikeouts.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the first two innings, McAllen Memorial leaned on a four-run third and three-run sixth. Back-to-back singles from Jalene Rodriguez and Segree got the offense going. The Lady Mustangs played some small ball with a bunt from Alexis Walden, making it 4-0 Lady Mustangs.
In the sixth inning, consecutive doubles from Gonzalez and Rodriguez put the game away for the Lady Mustangs, stretching the lead to 9-3.
“Winning our first six games in district is big for us,” Segree said. “Every morning and afternoon practice we work on our hitting. It’s important for us hitters to study each pitcher we face, and tonight we all did that well. We knew we need to see the ball, and be patient at the plate. It’s important for us to score runs for our pitcher.”
McAllen Memorial will begin the second round of district play Friday night against La Joya Palmview, while McAllen Rowe meets up with La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.