HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Lady Bronchos run-rule Amarillo Tascosa 25-0

With a tight race in District 2-6A softball, anything can happen once a team picks up a little momentum.

Lately, the Odessa High Lady Bronchos have been determined in the second half of district play.

On Saturday afternoon, Odessa High made quick work of the Amarillo Tascosa Lady Rebels 25-0 in five innings at the Ratliff Softball Complex.

The Lady Rebels have been outscored 173-25 in district play.

Kyra Jaquez, the lone senior on the teams, led the Lady Bronchos with two homers and four RBIs. Pearl Marquez also had a breakout game, going 5 for 5 with a double, home run and two RBIs.

“I’m really proud of Pearl and Kyra,” Odessa High head coach Rachel Pena said. “Both of them did well today. Kyra … it was her Senior Day, and she’s been a part of our program for four years.

“She’s a special kid. So, it was nice to see her have a nice game today. Pearl’s been waiting to play. I was pleased with what she did today.”

Marquez threw a two-hitter in three innings, with five strikeouts.

The Lady Bronchos established their dominance from the start, sending 14 batters to the plate in the first inning to score nine runs. Jaquez delivered a three-run home run, while Marquez had a solo homer.

Odessa High had another big inning in the second, scoring four runs to extend its lead to 13-0 on Kaylean Ayala’s RBI double, while Abigale Rayos and Sierra Camacho each drove had run-scoring singles.

Amarillo Tascosa struggled to string together a couple of hits. They had just two hits in the first two innings.

The Lady Rebels, however, loaded the bases in the fourth after an error and back-to-back walks, but failed to score.

The Lady Bronchos (21-4-1 overall, 5-2 in district) continued to hit, sending 14 more hitters to the plate in the fourth inning to score 10 runs and break the game open.

To highlight the rally, Jaquez and Hailey Prentice each hit a solo homer. Skylar Herrera drove in a run on a triple, while Marquez had an RBI double.

Laisha Ramos relieved Marquez in the fourth. Ramos allowed one hit in two innings. She also struck out two and walked two.

“Our team is really focused on making less errors and getting the easiest plays,” Marquez said. “Our team works like a sisterhood. They’re always there to back up each other.”

Jaquez finished 3 for 5 with two homers and a double. Six different Lady Bronchos had multiple hits, including Herrera, who was 3 for 5 with a single, two triples and four RBIs. Christabelle Aguirre finished 2 for 3 with two singles and two walks.

Jaquez was honored before the game during Senior Day. She credits her teammates and coaches the most for their support.

“I do this for my team and without them I wouldn’t be able to do this,” she said. “With everyone cheering me on it just pushes me to be as good as I can be.

“We always talk about doing what we are meant to do. This is what we love to do, so we’re going to push until the end. As long as we push we’ll get there.”

Odessa High’s final two games of the regular season will be tough facing Wolfforth Frenship and rival Permian. The Lady Bronchos let two games slip away from them earlier in the year against Frenship and Permian.

“I feel like we’re in a little more determined state of mind,” Pena said. “I think we’re a little more determined this second round, and that’s nice to see.

“So, hopefully we carry that for Tuesday and Friday.”

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