The Lamar Thunder softball team continued its impressive midseason surge Tuesday, Sept. 15, traveling to Limon and overwhelming the Badgers, 20-6, in a non-conference contest that ended after four innings.
The victory improved Lamar to 9-3 overall and extended the Thunder’s winning streak to nine straight games.
Lamar’s offense was relentless, pounding out 20 hits, including a home run and a double, while nearly everyone in the lineup contributed. The Thunder scored in every inning, but it was a massive 13-run fourth inning that put the game away.
Senior Daisy Medina provided the biggest blast, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run, five RBIs, three runs scored and a walk. Medina launched a three-run homer to center field during Lamar’s five-run third inning and then drove home two more with a single during the fourth.
Lamar actually found itself trailing early.
The Thunder scored one run in the top of the first, but Limon answered with two in the bottom half to grab a 2-1 advantage. Lamar pulled even at 2-2 in the second when Shayla Sigala singled down the left-field line to bring home a run.
From there, the Thunder offense took over.
Lamar collected five hits and scored five runs in the top of the third to build a 7-2 advantage. Medina delivered the crushing blow with her three-run shot to center.
Then came a fourth inning the Badgers won’t soon forget.
Lamar sent hitter after hitter to the plate, collecting 12 hits and scoring 13 runs. Carlin Weber had two run-scoring singles during the inning, while Braelinn Penaflor singled home two runs. Alysa Jara, Natalie Aguilar and Sigala also delivered run-scoring hits, while Medina added her two-run single. Yahirett Roman drew a bases-loaded walk, and Sierra Esquibel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
By the time the inning finally ended, Lamar had turned a competitive game into a 20-4 advantage.
One of the most impressive aspects of the victory was the production throughout Lamar’s batting order.
Sigala and Jara each went 4-for-4, combining for eight of Lamar’s 20 hits. Sigala doubled, drove in three runs and scored once, while Jara drove in two runs and scored twice.
Carlin Weber was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Natalie Aguilar also went 3-for-4, scored a run and drove in another.
Penaflor continued the offensive barrage by going 2-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. Roman had a hit, scored twice, drove in a run, walked and stole a base. Alexus Campbell added a hit, run and RBI, while Esquibel reached base despite not recording a hit and scored three times.
As a team, Lamar went 20-for-32 at the plate, drew four walks and struck out only once. The Thunder’s 20 hits were their highest total since also collecting 20 on Aug. 22.
While the offense piled up runs, Weber handled the pitching duties for Lamar and went all four innings. The junior allowed five hits and six runs, although only three were earned. She struck out six and walked four while throwing 86 pitches, 54 for strikes.
Limon managed two runs in the first, two in the third and two more in the fourth, but could never keep pace with Lamar’s explosive lineup.
The Thunder’s recent run has been impressive. Lamar was 1-3 earlier in the season before rattling off nine consecutive victories to improve to 9-3. The 20-6 win was also Lamar’s sixth victory of the season by at least six runs.
Lamar now turns its attention back to conference play as the Thunder is scheduled to host Rocky Ford on Monday, Sept. 21, at 4:30 p.m. The Thunder defeated the Meloneers 10-4 in their first meeting on Sept. 8.
They continue their Tri-Peaks tour at La Junta on Thursday, Sept. 24 and then will host Florence at home on Saturday, Sept. 26.
