SOFTBALL: Coronado’s late rally dooms Odessa High

March 29--It's tough enough to get through the Lubbock Coronado softball team's batting order one time without giving up multiple runs.

Odessa High'sKristin Dees did it twice Friday, pitching with the lead and looking strong.

The Lady Mustangs caught up to her the next time through, however, and that was the beginning of the end.

After scoring two runs in the sixth inning to tie the game, Kaitlyn Dawson hit a one-out home run in the top of the seventh and the Lady Mustangs added an insurance run for a 5-3 District 2-5A victory at the Ratliff Softball Complex.

"This is a tough, tough place to play," Lubbock Coronado coach J.J. Johnson said. "I thought that Dees did a great job tonight and took control in the middle of the game.

"I don't know what happened in the first inning but they took advantage of it and put three runs on the board and put pressure on us. It was nice to see Dawson get that home run because she has been struggling at the plate a little bit."The victory improved Lubbock Coronado to 20-2 overall and 10-0 in district, while Odessa High dropped to 11-7, 5-5.

Tristan Castillo led the Lady Bronchos, going 2 for 3 at the plate including a two-run double in the bottom of the first.

Odessa High also played well defensively as center fielder Janie Campos and right fielder Caitlyn Keese both threw out a runner at the plate.

Still, holding the Lady Mustangs in check for seven innings proved to be too tough on this night, especially when Coronado starting pitcher Monique Garcia got into a groove, retiring 15 Lady Bronchos in a row from the second through sixth innings.

"We needed some more offense," OHS coach Rachel Pena said. "That's such a tough team to hold down for an entire game; they are hitting their DP (designated player) in the nine spot.

"But I thought we did a great job defensively and Kristin pitched great, though I think she got a little tired at the end."

Contact Lee Scheide on twitter @OALeeScheide, on Facebook at OA Lee Scheide, or call 432-333-7703.

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