Lady Rattlers fall to Hornets, Leopards

Navasota had a tough start for the second half of District 26-4A play, dropping a pair of games to Caldwell 9-3 and LaGrange 11-0.

The losses drop Navasota to 15-8 overall and 2-5 in district with a trio of games remaining and the Lady Rattlers still contending for a playoff spot in a very stout district.

Caldwell 9, Navasota 3

Caldwell scored early and secured the district sweep of Navasota 9-3. Emily Telg started things for the Lady Hornets, connecting on a solo homerun to centerfield in the first inning.

Hailey Vess hit a one out single and later scored to give the Lady Hornets a 2-0 advantage to conclude the top of the inning.

Navasota answered with one run in the bottom of the first. Desiree Calderon reached on an error and Samantha Harris drove her in with a double to left field.

Caldwell extended the lead with four additional runs in the second, highlighted by a Telg’s second homerun, this one a three-run shot.

The Lady Hornets added a run in the top of each of the third and fourth innings, before Navasota struck again.

Harris connected on her second double of the day to lead off the bottom of the fourth. Harris later scored on a single by Alyssa Bustamante. Weaver drew a walk in the inning and was plated on a single by Melissa Rapp to bring the Lady Rattlers within five, 8-3.

Caldwell finalized the score 9-3 with one run in the bottom of the seventh. Bailey Long doubled in Emerson Faust.

Emily Ripkoski pitched seven quality innings, allowing just two earned runs, two walks and striking out two.

The Lady Rattlers committed nine errors in the contest.

LaGrange 11, Navasota 0

The Lady Rattlers could only muster one hit against Mikaylee Supak and the Lady Leopards in a tough 11-0 loss on the road.

Bustamante had the lone hit for the Lady Rattlers, a one out single in the top of the fourth.

LaGrange scored 11 runs on 11 hits. Ripkoski only allowed two earned runs, three walks and struck out one. Navasota surrendered four errors.

Missy Muras and Kailee Jones each had a perfect night at the plate for LaGrange, going 3-3. Jones also scored all three times and drove in two RBI’s.

Navasota played Tuesday at Bellville (score was not available at press time). The Lady Rattlers play Friday, April 12, at Smithville with first pitch slated for 6 p.m.