On their Senior Night, the Levelland Loboettes softball team hosted the Estacado Lady Matadors for a district softball matchup this past Friday night, resulting in the Loboettes run ruling them 15-0 across three innings.
The Loboettes scored three runs in the first inning, eight runs in the second inning and four runs in the third inning to ultimately secure the win.
Levelland dominated the team statistics, besting Estacado 11-7 in hits, 5-0 in walks and 0-3 in errors committed.
The star of the night was Madilyn Barrientes, who hit two two-run home runs, going 2/2 with four runs-batted- in and three runs scored.
“She’s one of the best hitters in our district and on our team,” Levelland Head Softball Coach Adrian Holland said. “That’s the expectation, not only for me, but for her. She wants to have quality at bats and when she’s not hitting quality shots, she’s hard on herself. The work she puts in is showing and I’m proud of her.”
Levelland’s other standouts at the plate included Tiffany File going ½ with three RBI’s, a run scored and a triple, Destinee Olivas going ½ with two RBI’s, a run scored, a double and a walk, Madi Seat with two runs scored, two walks and an RBI, London Branch going 1/1 with an RBI and a run scored, Jocelynn Arriaga going ½ with an RBI and a double, and Mia Sepulbeda going ½ with two runs scored, a double, a walk and a stolen base.
Arriaga handled all the mound duties for the Loboettes, pitching three innings, surrendering zero runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out a batter.
The win improves Levelland to 22-9 overall and 8-4 in district play, which finalizes them in third in the 4A District 5 standings and earns them a playoff spot.
And while the win was dominant, it was anything but easy on Senior Night.
“Sometimes the game just takes a backseat to the importance of what the seniors have been doing,” Coach Holland said. “It’s hard to get up for Senior Night because there’s emotions everywhere. There’s a lot of things going on and the last thing the kids are thinking about is the game. So, for us to come out and get the win, we’re done with our district, and they can go enjoy themselves in the festivities.”
Those festivities included a pregame recognition and postgame final walk of the bases for the senior group of Jazlyn Diaz, Tiffany File, Delaney Delgado, Destinee Olivas and Alexa Luera.
The Loboettes will miss the group of difference makers, but not yet, as they still have playoff softball to come.
Levelland is set to face Brock in the first round, starting with game one on Friday at 6:30 p.m. McMurry University. Game two will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday, and game three will be 30 minutes after if necessary.
“They’re a good ball club. They have a really solid pitcher. We haven’t seen a lot on her this year, but we faced her last year in the first round of the playoffs,” Coach Holland said. “We competed very well and both teams fought. I’m excited to have another opportunity and let’s see what we can do.”