Lady Yoe closes season with win over Rockdale

Even though the Cameron Lady Yoe were not going to be in the postseason, there were still games to be played to close out 2017. Cameron had fallen to Rogers in a tough 12-0 run-rule game the previous week, and had just one game remaining at rival Rockdale. The ladies ended the season as every other team hopes to - with a win.

Rogers (L 12-0)

The Lady Eagles of Rogers showed why they were in a position to claim the district championship, run-ruling the Lady Yoe in 5 innings, 12-0. Rogers banged out 15 hits compared to the Lady Yoe’s 3, and scored multiple runs in four of the five innings played.

Leadoff hitter Totty Arzole reached on a two-base error by right field to lead off the game. 7 batters later, Rogers had taken control with four runs across the plate.

Rogers added on 2 in the second, 3 in the fourth and 3 more in the fifth to finish off the game.

Cameron could not present much of an consistent offensive threat throughout most of the game. With two outs in the first, Kenzie Wimmer walked, which was followed by a Qua Workman single to left, but both runners were stranded.

The Lady Yoe collected the other two hits in the second. Ashlee Balch walked and was eventually thrown out trying to take second. Alli Ibarra and Lexi Vargas both singled following the first out.

Rogers starting pitcher Kylia Huhman went the first two innings, giving up three hits, no runs, and walked two. Tanner Thompson replaced her in the third, giving up no hits, no walks, and struck out two in her three innings.

Ibarra, the Lady Yoe starter, pitched four innings and gave up 11 hits, 9 runs, 5 earned runs and walked three. Keeli Floyd took to the circle in the fifth and surrendered four hits and three runs.

Rockdale (W 13-11)

Despite being out-hit 15-5, the Lady Yoe managed to close out 2017 with a win over rival Rockdale, 13-11. The ladies led 5-2 early and then again 7-5 in the fifth before Rockdale scored 6 in the sixth. Cameron had an answer, scoring six of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

“I’m very proud of our young ladies,” said Lady Yoe coach Abraham Vargas. “From the very beginning of the game, our girls kept battling. Right off the bat we were down 2-0. We faced a different pitcher from the previous time we played them. Our girls took advantage of that opportunity by scoring five runs in the first.”

The game started ominously for Cameron, as the Lady Yoe Tigers scored two runs on three hits in the first frame.

Cameron battled back by taking advantage of what Rockdale was offering. After Daniella Hill and Kenzie Wimmer were hit by pitches, Workman hit a ground ball to short. The ball could not be handled, allowing a runner to come home. Yareli Contreras later tripled to drive in a run in the five-run first.

Rockdale tied the game in the top of the fifth before Cameron responded with two more. The Lady Tigers sent 11 to the plate in a 6-run six, with all runs being unearned.

With the Lady Yoe down, 11-7 in the bottom of the 6th, more hit by pitches and errors led to more runs. Contreras began the inning with a single. A hit by pitch and walk then loaded the bases. Karla Martinez and Hill were both hit, driving in two runs. Two more errors by Rockdale plated four more runs for Cameron in the inning. Despite playing the game in Rockdale, the Lady Yoe were the home team due to the field in Cameron not being playable.
 

In the 7th, Ibarra, the third pitcher of the night for Cameron, shut the door. Madison Brunson went the first five innings, giving up nine hits and 5 runs (3 earned). Maddy Humble gave up 5 hits and 6 runs (1 earned) in the sixth.

After the game, Vargas reflected on the season and what is to come for the program.

“It's always great to end the season on a positive note, especially with a win,” said Vargas. “It's important for our team to know that we are capable of being very competitive in our district. There were many games during district where we were in it for three to four innings but one to two tough innings put us out of reach. With the majority of our team returning, the future looks very good. Our young ladies understand that it will take extra work during the summer in order to compete in our district.”