Hawks Make A after Lesson of Hard Knocks, Beat Gonzales, 15-0
Final grades came in after the Hawks started this year playing five 6A and four 5A schools in preparation for district and contests with similar sized teams.
The Hawks are presently 2-1 in playing same size teams so far this season.
Jessie Melendez has a power bat with a HR and Triple in win over Gonzales (photo by Karen Holmes)
“We had a tough schedule and that played out tonight,” Head Coach Hayley Galloway said. “Our team walked int the game tonight with confidence and that was our best defensive game we have played all year long.”
Canyon Lake’s record shows 4 wins and 9 losses but those are just numbers as the Gonzales Apaches came into this battle with a much better 9-6 record.
But playing tougher schools on the outset might play for a better finish when district gets going.
CL scored 11 runs in their first inning in paving the way on a road for better returns as this season matures.
Kenzie Sayles was smooth in the circle in giving up just 2 hits in the shut-out while striking out 4 Apaches.
“When Kay (Puente) is catching, she makes it easier and that gives me confidence,” Sayles said on how much she was in control during this game. “I knew the defense was behind me and it has helped us after playing 6A schools and finding out that we could play with them.”
Sayles was throwing strikes and had her best contest of the season with only 2 Apache batters having a 3-ball count in this win.
The 4th inning was the only time Gonzales threatened when 2 players reached base and had two outs coming on hard hit balls that found Hawk gloves and no damage.
Way to Go Hawks!!
Jessie Melendez had two extra base hits with one being a triple and her first home-run as a Hawk that scored 4 runs. Melendez led the team in scoring in crossing the plate 3 times in this run ruled contest.
“I was just going up to bat to help bring in Marley (Carrizales) and I just hit the ball,” Melendez said nonchalantly. “I did not think I hit it that hard, but I really got really excited….that was my first home-run as a Hawk and playing those harder schools has made this game easier.”
The Hawks sent 15 batters to the plate during the opening inning which was the same number of the at bats for Gonzales in their 4 innings of play.
The Lake had an impressive .607 on base percentage and will see if those previous game lessons will continue as CL will be playing in the Blanco/Johnson City Tournament starting on Thursday.
“Winning is our goal and we have been taking a step forward and two back,” Coach Galloway said in response talking about how the Hawks will go into this week’s 3rd and final tournament. “Offensively we are doing well and we will look to keep building and dow what we are doing.”
Thursday will have the Hawks starting with a 2:30 contest with Johnson City.
Go Hawks!!
1 2 3 4 R H E Gonzales 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 CL Hawks 11 0 2 2 15 11 1 ab r h bi 2b 3b hr bb so misc Bailey Bryan 3 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 Marley Carrizales 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 sac sb Angie Rodriguez 3 2 1 3 0 1 0 1 0 roe Sara Mefford 3 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 Jessie Melendez 2 3 2 4 0 1 1 1 0 Emma Lane 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 sf roe Kaylee Puente 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Kaylee Moore 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 Kenzie Sayles 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 Totals 22 15 11 13 1 2 1 6 2 Pitching ip h r er bb so W L Kenzie Sayles 4 2 0 0 0 4 1 0 Pitches-Strikes: 49-33
