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The Rice Lady Raiders’ varsity softball team has been finding ways to make progress at the plate and on the offensive side of the ball. They scored multiple runs in each of their games last week over the spring break vacation as they picked up momentum offensively. However, they could not support their improved hitting with enough defense to provide a win as they fell in both games for a winless week.
Their first matchup of the week against the Industrial Lady Cobras gave a prime example of that dynamic after the Lady Raiders suffered the 12-3 defeat. Rice’s defensive issues made an appearance as soon as the first inning as the Lady Raiders allowed at least one run in each of the first three innings including two runs each in the second and third innings. After finally holding Industrial scoreless in the top of the fourth inning, Rice allowed two more runs in the fifth and a game-high four runs in the sixth as they gradually fell further behind. Rice scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut into a lead that had already grown too large to handle.
The Lady Raiders found better offensive production against Tidehaven later in the week, despite it coming in a losing effort. Several Lady Raiders picked up multiple hits as Rice eventually fell to their district opponents in a 14-5 defeat. Tatianna Mills, and Kimberly Hernandez led the way on offense with two hits and an RBI each. Abigail Hoelscher and Alejandra Palacios also added two hits apiece to keep the offense moving. Mills had the big hit of the day with a double.
