HIgh School Softball: No. 6 Weslake too much for SMHS

Like any coach, SMHS head softball coach Cathy Stoughton wasn’t pleased with her Lady Rattlers’ 5-1 loss to Westlake Tuesday night.

But considering the loss was against the state’s sixth-ranked team with five freshmen in the lineup for SMHS, Stoughton was comfortable with the effort her young team put forth.

Westlake scored a pair of runs in the top of the third and fourth innings for a 4-0 lead, but it could have been worse had it not been for San Marcos’ solid defensive play. The Lady Rattlers picked off two runners and Jenica Flores was able to gun down a runner at home from center field to keep SMHS in the game.

“We made some good plays on defense. We were on top of our game communicating with each other and it led to some big outs,” Stoughton said. “I am disappointed with the loss and I think we could have done some more things to win the ball game, but at the same time I want out kids to know that they can play with anybody.”

San Marcos scored its lone run in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore Ellie Hernandez grounded out to third base, as the throw to first was off the mark, allowing junior Stephanie Marmolejo to score from third. Marmolejo reached third with a triple to deep right-center field.

Westlake tagged on another run in the top of the seventh before retiring the Lady Rattlers in order in the bottom half of the inning.

SMHS freshman right-hander Victoria Vasquez went the distance for the Lady Rattlers, giving up five runs on five hits with five strikeouts.

San Marcos is back in action Thursday as the team begins play in the Corpus Christi Bay City Classic.