Momentum betrays Lady Apaches

Momentum is the key word when describing the Lady Apaches’ opening district game against Cuero Tuesday night.

But in an up-and-down battle against the Lady Gobblers, Gonzales failed to turn the tide as Cuero grabbed the game’s last momentum shift to win in extra innings.

Gonzales got off to a good start, scoring in the first inning with two hits while holding off Cuero until the third stanza. Then the first momentum shift happened, as the Lady Gobblers recorded four hits and scored two runs for a 2-1 lead.

After a three-up-three-down stay for Gonzales, Cuero increased its lead in the fourth, scoring three more on two base hits and an error on the pitcher.

Again, momentum was the key. When Cuero loaded the bases in its half of the frame, the Lady Apaches shifted the momentum their way by snagging the last out to leave all base runners stranded.

It was the bottom of the fifth when the bats started to fly for Gonzales. After Gonzales got two base runners aboard when one was hit and the other drew a base on balls, the Lady Apaches took advantage with an RBI single and a two-RBI triple to cut into the Cuero lead at 5-4. A sacrifice fly to center later, the Lady Apaches tied the game at 5-5 heading into the sixth inning.

With the game deadlocked and momentum in the Lady Apaches’ favor, the Gonzales defense forced a three-up-three-down inning, then scored two more runs for a 7-5 edge over the Lady Gobblers.

Gonzales was three outs away from winning the game when Cuero shifted the momentum yet again.

The Lady Gobblers started off their half of the seventh frame with a solo home run shot to centerfield to cut into the Gonzales lead. A couple of base hits later, and Cuero tied the game to force an at-bat for Gonzales. But with momentum in Cuero’s favor, Gonzales could not take advantage of an early base runner, sending the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eight inning, Cuero started off with a solo home run shot to centerfield for an 8-7 lead, keeping the momentum on the Lady Gobblers’ side. Three hits and two Gonzales errors later, and the score had mushroomed to 11-7.

Hoping to shift momentum for a final time, the Lady Apaches’ first two batters drew bases on balls. But Gonzales could not take advantage, finishing the inning scoreless and on the short end of the 11-7 final tally.

The Lady Apaches travel today to Smithville in hopes of avenging their district loss and even up their district record.