The Levelland Loboettes played host to the Lubbock Cooper Liberty Lady Patriots for a district softball matchup this past Tuesday night, resulting in the Loboettes run ruling them 18-3 across three innings.
The Loboettes trailed 3-0 after the top of the first inning, but they’d respond by scoring 18 unanswered runs, which was highlighted by an 11-run third inning for the Loboettes.
Levelland bested Liberty 15-3 in hits and 1-6 in errors committed, and the two teams tied at four walks apiece.
Standouts at the plate for the Loboettes included Delaney Delgado going 2/4 with four runs-batted-in, three runs scored and two doubles, left fielder Mia Sepulbeda going 4/4 with four runs scored, two stolen bases and an RBI, and second baseman Jill Lopez going 2/2 with two RBI’s, two runs scored, two doubles, a walk and a stolen base.
Others included first baseman Adrianna Castellano going 2/2 with two RBI’s, a double and a walk, catcher Madi Seat going ½ with two RBI’s, a double and a walk, third baseman Angelina Gonzales going 2/3 with three runs scored and a stolen base, shortstop Madilyn Barrientes going ¼ with two runs scored and an RBI, and right fielder Carleigh Delgado going ½ with two runs scored, a stolen base and a walk.
Delaney Delgado handled the bulk of the mound duties, pitching 2.2 innings and holding Liberty to three earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three batters. She’d be relieved by Jocelynn Arriaga, who would enter into a two-out bases loaded jam and escape it unscathed.
Levelland Head Softball Coach Adrian Holland commended Arriaga’s clutch pitching to escape the jam, noting that moments like that are great preparation tools for the upcoming postseason.
The win improves the Loboettes to 20-7 overall and 6-2 in district play, which puts them third in the 4A District 5 softball standings. Levelland is still well and alive in the district’s title chase, and they know exactly what they need to do.
“We have two teams to beat. We have to go to Snyder on Thursday and beat them, and then we’ve got to go to Big Spring and beat them,” Coach Holland said. “We stubbed our toes our first time through, so now we’ve got to find a way to get a ‘W’ at their places. I think we can do that if they play like they know how to.”
As the Loboettes look to avenge their only district losses, they’ll get their first shot over the weekend at Snyder, who’s currently first and undefeated in the district.