Stallions try to build on positives in tournament

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune

Madera South’s Nazomi Sandoval rips a lead-off triple in the top of the first inning during a 14-4 loss Wednesday to Riverdale.

CLOVIS — After a shellacking by the Liberty Hawks, the Madera South Stallions tried to bounce back against the Riverdale Cowgirls at the Buchanan Preseason Tournament.

The Stallions stayed in the game early, but a 10-run third inning led to a 14-4 loss Wednesday afternoon.

The Stallions committed seven errors while the Cowgirls banged out 15 hits for the victory.

“We are trying to build on positives. It’s not a great performance today,” head coach Peter Gallegos said. “We’re getting back to the fundamentals and the basics we did before.”

Nazomi Sandoval provided much of the offense with a pair of hits, including a triple. However, Madera South only had one other hit in the game.

Sandoval opened the game with a triple to right-centerfield. However, two batters later, she was tagged out trying to score on a groundout from Gianna Rodriguez.

Rodriguez advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches. Anna Garcia and Jessica Garcia drew walks to load the bases. Jocelyn Barrera drew another walk to force in Rodriguez.

Riverdale had three hits in the bottom of the first inning to score three runs for the lead.

The Stallions cut the lead to one in the top of the second inning. Emma Howe drew a walk and stole second. She went to third on a groundout by Brianna Velasquez.

Sandoval grounded out to third, but Howe scored to cut the lead to 3-2.

The Cowgirls banged out 10 hits, including a solo home run and a pair of doubles, to send 15 batters to the plate to score 10 runs for a 13-2 lead.

Madera South added two more runs in the fifth inning. Sandoval led off the inning with a single to right. She advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches. Isabel Del Rio drew a walk and stole second. Rodriguez followed with a single to left to drive in Sandoval and Del Rio to get within nine and force the bottom of the fifth. However, the next three batters were retired to end the inning.

Riverdale added a run in the fifth with a double, walk and an error to score the game-ending run.