First, they won big.

STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Hustle Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins softball player Katelin Dupnik makes a diving throw during a game against the Aransas Pass Lady Panthers. Then, they lost big.

The Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins softball team beat the Aransas Pass Lady Panthers JV, 16-2, on Friday, March 7. Later the same night, they lost, 1-21, to the Lady Panthers' varsity.

"The girls worked hard this week on batting, and it definitely showed in the first game," said Karen Hall, coach of the Lady Marlins. "We used the first game as a practice situation for the next game."

The Lady Marlins don't have a JV team, but the larger Aransas Pass High School does, so the Lady Marlins play against both Lady Panther squads.

The lopsided score in the game against the Aransas Pass varsity "is not indicative of the play," Hall said.

"Our pitching was fine for three innings," Hall said. "Then Jordan (Butterfield) got tired. But she pitched five innings, total, allowed nine walks, one hit by pitch and had one strike-out." Butterfield also got a base hit.

"Abby Kenigsberg made a great play at third by getting an overthrow and jumping to tag the runner out at third," Hall said. "She was also 1-2 at bat with a single and a stolen base."

Hannah Jones went 2-2 at bat, with two singles, a stolen base and the only run scored. Emily Scott hit a double, making her 1-2 at bat.

"The girls had a much stronger defensive game this time, but Aransas Pass is just good," Hall said.

Still, Hall said, the Lady Marlins (2-2 overall) are improving.