The problem the Lady Marlins faced at Woodsboro on Tuesday, Feb. 28, is that they just weren’t mentally ready to play softball, coach Steve Reaves said. As a consequence, they lost the game, 2-11.

“We started out slow … and made several errors in the first inning, giving up three runs,” Reaves said.

Then the ladies settled down and held the Lady Eagles scoreless for another five innings, scoring a run themselves in the third and another in the fifth to make it a 3-2 ball game going into the sixth inning.

However, that was a rough inning. The Port Aransas girls yielded five runs, ending with a 2-8 disadvantage. They allowed another three in the seventh and weren’t able to score again.

“We did a lot of things ( that were) very positive, we just have to learn how to stay focused for an entire game,” Reaves said. “Every time we step on the field, we are getting better. We should have five more games before district starts to help us get ready.”

Savannah Ortiz struck out six batters in seven innings, and was the leading hitter, picking up two hits in four at-bats, including one RBI.

Maddison Ray got one hit in two at-bats, batting in one run and scoring once herself. Missy Gilbreath, Jordan Morris, Brenna Martin and Marian Smith each got one hit in three trips to the plate; Gilbreath scored a run following her hit.