Lady Dawgs’ rally not enough in 8-6 loss to Shoemaker

By TJ MAXWELL
Cove Leader-Press

It was an ominous start for the Copperas Cove Lady Dawgs as a routine fly ball by Shoemaker’s Deborah Hamilton resulted in an in-the-park home run in the top of the first inning after a full-speed collision by the Cove outfield.
They found themselves in even more trouble after the Lady Grey Wolves’ Madelyn Morua connected on a lead-off home run in the top of the second inning , Hamilton connected on a two-run home run and Morua connected on a two-out, two-run home run to left field for a 6-0 lead all on home runs.
The Lady Dawgs broke the shut out in the bottom of the third inning when senior Kristen Wasiak reached on an error, scoring sister Emma Wasiak after she singled to right field to reach. 
The Lady Wolves took that run back in the top of the fourth inning when Tamera Johnson hit into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded. Kasia Nelson scored after singling to left field to reach and being knocked around on singles by Alyssa Pena and Hamilton.
Cove again pulled one run closer in the bottom of the fourth inning when another Shoemaker fielding error allowed Cove senior Maria Hanna to reach, scoring senior Jayda Carter from third base. Alina Salazar doubled to lead off the inning before a single by Carter and a single by put runners on for Hanna. Salazar was called out at third on an offensive interference call to prevent another Cove run. 
The Lady Wolves again got the run back in the top of the sixth inning when Nelson reached and advanced to third on an error to lead off the inning and Alana Garcia-Ramos singled to right field for the 8-2 Shoemaker lead.
The Lady Dawgs began their rally as they plated three runners in the bottom half of the sixth. 
A one-out double to right field by Carter put the first runner on for Cove before a two-out RBI double by Madalyn Scribner and a two-out, two-RBI triple by pitcher Brooke Schmidt made it an 8-5 contest.
A solo home run by Cove’s Salazar cut the Shoemaker lead to two runs, 8-6, but that is as close as the Lady Dawgs’ would get. 
Scribner was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI while Carter was 2 for 4 with two runs and Salazar was 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI to lead the Lady Dawgs’ batters. Schmidt (1 for 3, 2RBI) and Emma Wasiak (1 for 3, R) accounted for the rest of Cove’s eight hits. 
Hamilton was 3 for 3 with a run, two RBIs, a walk, an in-the-park home run and a traditional home run while Morua was 3 for 4 for two runs, three RBIs and two home runs to lead the Lady Wolves. Darlene Estrella (3 for 4, 2R, RBI) Nelson (1 for 4, 2R) Garcia-Ramos (1 for 3, R) and Pena (1 for 3) accounted for the rest of Shoemaker’s 12 hits. 
Madalyne Martinez picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Wolves. She allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out 12 and walking one in seven innings of work. 
Schmidt suffered the loss for the Lady Dawgs. She allowed eight runs (four earned) on 12 hits while striking out five and walking one in seven innings. 
The win by Shoemaker (9-6) wrapped up the fourth and final playoff spot, causing the Lady Dawgs (7-8) to miss the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
The Lady Dawgs closed out the season last night at third-place Temple (10-5) while Shoemaker finishes at home against Harker Heights (6-9).