SOFTBALL: Holy Cross falls in 3-4A tourney

Knights will play for third place today

Photos taken by KJ Toso. For more photos or to purchase photos, please visit: http://kjtoso.photoshelter.com

Holy Cross' Melanie Cortinas holds the ball aloft to show that she maintained possession after tagging out a runner at third base.
Holy Cross’ Melanie Cortinas holds the ball aloft to show that she maintained possession after tagging out a runner at third base.
Holy Cross junior shortstop Marisol Ortega fires a throw across the infield.
Holy Cross junior shortstop Marisol Ortega fires a throw across the infield.
Holy Cross second baseman Erin Torralva applies the tag to an Incarnate Word baserunner after receiving a strong throw from center fielder Omni Garcia.
Holy Cross second baseman Erin Torralva applies the tag to an Incarnate Word baserunner after receiving a strong throw from center fielder Omni Garcia.

 

Knights third baseman Melanie Cortinas cradles a foul popup.
Knights third baseman Melanie Cortinas cradles a foul popup.
Knights senior pitcher Julia Ibarra beats the throw and arrives safely at second base.
Knights senior pitcher Julia Ibarra beats the throw and arrives safely at second base.

Holy Cross a little setback Saturday in the TAPPS 3-4A Tournament, but the Knights’ postseason hopes and dreams remain alive.

Corpus Christi Incarnate Word defeated the Knights (23-9-1) 6-2 at Holy Cross in the tournament semifinals. The tournament determines seeding for the TAPPS state tournament, which begins with bi-district play on April 29.

“It was a great experience,” Holy Cross coach Angel Cedillo said, “and we can still get to where we want to get to. Like I told the girls, ‘If you want to get to the show, you’ve got to prove it.’

“I know they’ll continue to work hard. I’ve got all the faith in the world in these girls. I think they’ll make a good run. We’ve just got to get back to work.”

Holy Cross will play Austin Hyde Park Baptist at 5 p.m. today in the third-place game.

The Knights tied the score 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning against Incarnate Word. Cleanup hitter Kat Rangel drove in the run.

Generally, though, Holy Cross didn’t get its usual share of timely hits.

“They did a good job against us,” Cedillo said. “Their pitcher was a finesse pitcher, and our girls were a little anxious. That pitcher gave them the toughest time. Against a fastball pitcher, they’re really competitive.”

Incarnate Word took the lead with two runs in the second inning. After the Knights cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, the Angels struck for three runs in the fifth, starting the rally with an extra-base hit.

“We left the bases loaded in the third or fourth inning,” Cedillo said. “I think that was our best hope.”

Both teams actually finished with nine hits. Holy Cross commited three errors.

“We didn’t hit the ball well,” Cedillo said. “Our best hitter was 0-for-4 and our second-best hitter was 1-for-4. When those kids aren’t hitting, that sets the stage. They outplayed us and we didn’t hit the ball when we needed to.”

 

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