The Hondo Owls will take on the Natalia Mustangs at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Hondo has given up an average of 8.3 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
For some reason, the away team has come away with the win the last four times Hondo and Lytle have met, but the home crowd finally got their W on Friday. Hondo lost 13-3 to Lytle.
Hondo saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Kristyn Ybarra, who scored a run while going 1-for-3.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Natalia, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. They blew past Dilley 15-2 on Friday. The Mustangs might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten contests by six runs or more this season.
Arabella Gallegos was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching five innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off three hits. Gallegos was also big at the plate, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. That stolen base marked the first that she snagged this season.
In other batting news, Selyene Gallegos was incredible, scoring three runs while going 3-for-3. That's the most hits she has posted since back in February. Another player making a difference was Kira Jimenez, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and one double.
Natalia hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most three strikeouts in four consecutive matchups.
Natalia's win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 16-5-1. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.3 runs over those games. As for Hondo, their loss dropped their record down to 9-8.
Tuesday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Hondo hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .313. However, it's not like Natalia struggles in that department as they've averaged .388. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Hondo came out on top in a nail-biter against Natalia in their previous matchup on March 10th, sneaking past 8-7. Does Hondo have another victory up their sleeve, or will Natalia turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
