It came down to the wire on March 31, as the Pirates softball team grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 10-9, over Crystal City. With 2 outs and the game tied at 9, Avary Hernandez singled scoring Marley Macias for the win.
Bats blistered as Lytle collected 8 hits and Crystal City tallied 14 in the high-scoring game. Crystal City was first to get on the board and continued growing their lead as the Pirates headed into the bottom of the sixth down 1 to 9.
Leading off for the Pirates in the sixth was Kaycee Galindo who singled to center field and then stole to second and third. Payton Devaney earned a walk and advanced to second. With runners in scoring position, Claire Canales hit a hard, line drive to left field that bounced over the fence scoring both Galindo and Devaney. Score 3 to 9. With two outs, Macias singled to right scoring Canales. Score 4 to 9. Hernandez reached on error and Macias scored on same error as the bottom of the sixth ended with a score 5 to 9.
Crystal City did not extend their lead as the Pirates were able to get three out of their four hitters out.
The bottom of the seventh started with Mikailah Mejia getting hit by the pitch and then scoring off Devaney’s double. The next three batters (Canales, Autumn Foster, Nova Rangel) showed great discipline at the plate as each earned walks loading up the bases and scoring Devaney. Score 7 to 9.
With bases loaded, Macias doubled on a shot to center scoring Canales and Foster. Rangel got tagged out heading home. Score 9 to 9- 2 outs. Headed to the plate was freshman Hernandez who singled to right and Macias scored to end the game 10 to 9.
The Pirates flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs on three hits.
Canales earned the win for Lytle Varsity Pirates. The starter allowed 14 hits and 9 runs (six earned) over seven innings, striking out 4 and walking 1. Makaela Miramontes took the loss for Crystal City. The pitcher went six and two-thirds innings, surrendering 10 runs (9 earned) on 8 hits, striking out 5 and walking 9.
Next up for Lytle Varsity Pirates is a game at Natalia today, April 2.