By Mark Kusenberger
tsrnsports.com
Special to SAsports.com

Taft softball coach Scott Libby, impressed with the Corpus Christi King Mustangs, decided he’d rather play a best-of-three series rather than risk a one-game result. 

Saturday afternoon at Northside Field #1, Coach Libby’s move looked pretty smart.

Taft used a 13-hit barrage and shutout pitching by Amanda Fries to claim a 10-0 victory in extra innings and tie the series at one game apiece.  Game Three followed about 45 minutes after Game Two.

Taft took the lead in the bottom of the first off losing pitcher Seleena Lira.  Allie Gutierrez singled to right-center, then a base hit by Cassandra Carrillo advanced her to second.  Desirae Soto lined out into a double play, with Lira catching the line drive and throwing to first baseman Mariena Gallardo to double off Cassandra Carrillo, but Samantha Carrillo singled to right to score Gutierrez and put the Raider ahead. 

That would be all Fries needed.  Fries struck out six and needed only 69 pitches for the complete game.  The only base runner King had was Cassie DeLeon when she led off the fifth with a single past the second baseman. 

The Raider chased Lira in the third.  Cassandra Carrillo walked and went to third on a base hit by Soto.  Samantha Carrillo singled up the middle to drive in Cassandra and extend the Taft lead, then Danie Lopez walked to load the bases. 

King coach switched her pitcher and first baseman, putting Gallardo on the mound.  An Alex Garcia sacrifice fly brought home Soto to make it 3-0.  One out later, when Gallardo had a 1-2 count on Raynelle Tagle, she threw a wild pitch, allowing Stephanie Carrillo to score, making it 4-0. 

Taft threatened in the fourth and fifth, but made an out on the basepaths in each innings to stall the threat.  But there was no stopping them in the sixth. 

Raynelle Tagle led off with a single; her pinch runner Lauren Sweet went to second on a basehit by Liz Rojo.  On a single by Allie Gutierrez, Sweet scored and Rojo’s courtesy runner Rachel Rivera went to third.  Defensive substitute Jackie Gonzalez then singled past the shortstop to drive in Rivera, and Desirae Soto walked to load the bases. 

Still with nobody out, Samantha Carrillo completed a 4-4 evening with a three-run double, scoring Soto, Gonzalez, and Gutierrez’ pinch runner Tyler Hood to make it 9-0.  Danie Lopez then singled home Carrillo to put the mercy rule in play, making it 10-0.  It was a couple of minutes later before the Mustangs cleared the field, realizing they’d suffered a run-rule loss. 

At this point, it appeared the Raiders were on their way to an easy series victory.

As they say, that’s why they play the games.