Softball Recap: Emma Hernandez can't quite lead Sanger over Madera

By Team Reports May 12, 2024, 9:39pm

Softball Recap: Sanger Apaches vs. Madera Coyotes

If Sanger was riding high off their 18-0 takedown of Edison last Tuesday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Sanger Apaches lost 9-2 to the Madera Coyotes on Friday. Sanger was given a dose of their own medicine in this game as Madera apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in April.

Sanger saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Emma Hernandez, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases.

On Madera's side, Viviana Nombrano spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered two runs (both of which were unearned) on six hits and racked up nine Ks. Nombrano has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in eight consecutive pitching appearances.

At the plate, Malea Ricks and Kailea Ricks did most of the damage at the plate: Ricks scored a run and stole two bases while going 2-for-4, while Ricks scored a run while going 1-for-3. Ricks is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now stolen at least one in the last six games she's played. Another player making a difference was Sadie Gonzalez, who scored a run while going 2-for-4.

Sanger's defeat dropped their record down to 19-8. As for Madera, the win was the fourth in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 17-9-1.

Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Sanger will square off against Centennial at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Centennial is on a nine-game streak of home wins, Sanger a four-game streak of away wins -- so someone will have to leave a streak behind on the field. As for Madera, they will be staying on the road on Wednesday to face off against Kingsburg at 6:30 p.m. The two teams have allowed few runs on average, (Kingsburg: 1.9, Madera: 3) so any runs scored will be well earned.

Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps