The Morton Maidens softball team played back-to-back district softball games on Monday night against Tahoka and on Tuesday night against New Home, falling in both matchups.
On Senior Night at home against Tahoka, the two teams exited the first inning tied 1-1. Tahoka would score five in the second inning, and Morton would score two in the fourth inning, and then they’d each add a run in fifth. Morton would win the sixth inning 2-1 and the seventh inning 2-0. The ultimate difference would be the eighth inning, which Tahoka won 6-1 to secure the win.
In the team statistics, the Maidens bested Tahoka 12-6 in hits and 4-2 in walks, while Tahoka bested them 8-15 in errors committed.
Morton’s standouts at the plate against Tahoka included Aubree Ramon going 2/4 with two runs-batted-in, two runs scored, two stolen bases, a double and a walk, J’lynn Marquez going 2/4 with two runs scored, two stolen bases and an RBI, Audrie Garcia going 3/5 with a run scored and a stolen base, Maya Huckabee going 2/5 with two runs scored and a double, and Amaris Zapata and Cheyenne Lopez both with an RBI apiece.
On the mound for the Maidens against Tahoka, Huckabee recorded two outs and surrendered a run, and Garcia pitched 7.1 innings, surrendering 13 runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters.
In their second game on the road against New Home, Morton trailed 14-6 after three innings but nearly pulled off a comeback after outscoring them 6-1 in the final four frames.
In the team statistics, New Home bested Morton 10-8 in hits and 3-2 in walks, while Morton bested them 8-11 in errors committed.
The Maiden’s standouts at the plate against New Home included Ada Torres with two RBI’s and a run scored, Haylee Toscano going 2/4 with two runs scored, two doubles, an RBI and a stolen base, Natalie Ramirez going 2/4 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base, Huckabee going 2/4 with two runs scored, two doubles, two stolen bases and an RBI, and Lopez and Marquez both going ¼.
On the mound for Morton against New Home, Audrie Garcia tossed the full game, surrendering five earned runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out five batters.
The pair of losses dropped the Maidens to 6-15 overall and 3-7 in 2A District 4 softball play, officially eliminating them from postseason contention and locking them into the fifth district spot.
“Both games were tough pills to swallow. My goal as a coach every year is to put yourself in a position or give yourself a chance at the playoffs,” Morton Head Softball Coach Martin Adams said. “For a young program, we did that. Our girls showed grit and fought the entirety of both games. They competed to the very last pitch. In softball, like in life, the ball just doesn’t fall your way sometimes. I am truly proud of our girls. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for. I will truly miss this group of girls. They are special. For the seniors, it’s unfortunate because we were flirting with history in their last year as Maidens. I will cherish the moments spent with them, and they have every reason to keep their heads up high. Our softball team represented Morton the right way. They should be proud to be Maidens.”